rovs and auvs

<p>By <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/katelinklassen/" target="_blank">Kate Klassen</a>, Training and Regulatory Specialist</p><p> </p><p><span>It’s not every day I get excited to see an email before 0600. But March 26, was one of those days!</span><span> </span></p><p><span>Unexpectedly, <a href="https://tc.canada.ca/en" target="_blank">Transport Canada</a> announced the publication of the highly anticipated <a href="https://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2025/2025-03-26/html/sor-dors70-eng.html" target="_blank">Canada Gazette II</a> which included new regulations for RPAS Operations Beyond Visual Line-of-Sight and Other Operations. </span><span> </span></p><p><span>It’s a hefty publication with lots of cross-references and makes for a bit of a dense read. But after a day of reading, re-reading, digesting and consulting with other colleagues who share my nerdiness about this area, I’m pleased to provide this overview – which we’ll continue to update as new information becomes available. </span><span> </span></p><p><span>All-in-all, it’s what we were expecting and hoping to see: Common-sense amendments to existing regulations, noticeable inclusions from feedback on the Canada Gazette I draft, and formalization of the next phase of routine RPAS operations in Canada. </span><span> </span></p><p><span>If you were one of the many who took the time to provide comments to Transport Canada following CG1, well done. What we saw today is proof they listen and that those efforts matter. Thank you, TC!</span><span> </span></p><p><span>Some regulations come into effect on April 1 2025, with others commencing November 4, 2025. This phased approach enables the mechanisms for compliance to be in place prior to requiring compliance <em>with</em> them. In other words, it gives you time to get prepared</span><span> before it’s required by law. So don’t panic. There are no major changes required before this flying season. You can’t even fly BVLOS under these rules until November.</span></p><p><span>Now, let’s dive in. </span></p><p><em>Below: Low-risk BVLOS flights will be permitted starting November 4, 2025. These operations will require a new Level 1 Complex RPAS Certificate</em><em><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1743191322516-Drones-with-hyperspectral-sensors-will-be-used-to-detect-vegetation-health-jpeg-2.webp" style="width:100%px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Large Drone" /></em><br /></p><h3 id="isPasted">Practically Speaking </h3><p>As mentioned, the <a href="https://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2025/2025-03-26/html/sor-dors70-eng.html" target="_blank">document published</a><span> is complex. Our goal here is explain what it actually means in the real world. So we’re going to break this down into implications for different scenarios. Here’s what the new rules mean for RPAS pilots with: </span></p><p> </p><p>…A SUB-250 GRAM DRONE</p><ul><li><span>As of April 1 2025, flying your microdrone at an </span><a href="https://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2025/2025-03-26/html/sor-dors70-eng.html#:~:text=in%20alphabetical%20order%3A-,advertised%20event,-means%20an%20outdoor" target="_blank"><span>advertised event</span></a><span> will require a </span><a href="https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/drone-safety/drone-pilot-licensing/get-permission-special-drone-operations/lower-risk-operations" target="_blank"><span>Special Flight Operation Certificate</span></a><span> </span><span> </span></li><li><span>On April 1, there are more regulations than just the CAR 900.06 ‘don’t be an idiot’ rule that come into force. These specifically spell out steps to follow if you inadvertently enter restricted airspace (CAR 900.07) and include prohibitions around emergency security perimeters (CAR 900.08)</span><span> </span></li></ul><p>…A BASIC RPAS CERTIFICATE</p><ul><li><span>Not many changes aside from general tidying of rules to ensure intent aligns with application</span><span> </span></li><li><span>You can allow a non-certified individual to fly under your supervision (CAR 901.54)</span><span> </span></li><li><span>You are qualified as a visual observer for BVLOS operations</span><span> </span></li></ul><p>…AN ADVANCED RPAS CERTIFICATE</p><ul><li><span>You get new capabilities as of November 4th – and you don’t have to do any additional testing to take advantage of them!</span><span> </span></li><li>You’ll be able to carry out <a href="https://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2025/2025-03-26/html/sor-dors70-eng.html#:~:text=de%20contingence)-,extended%20VLOS%20operation,-means%20an%20operation" target="_blank"><span>EVLOS</span></a><span> – Extended Visual Line Of Sight operations. This a</span><span>llows you to fly up to 2NM from the pilot, control station and Visual Observer at any time during the flight, provided the pilot and control station are at the take-off and launch location (CAR 901.74)</span><span> </span></li><li><a href="https://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2025/2025-03-26/html/sor-dors70-eng.html#:~:text=de%20SATP)-,sheltered%20operation,-means%20an%20operation" target="_blank"><span>Sheltered</span></a><span> Operation – This a</span><span>llows the drone to be flown around a building or structure without the use of a visual observer, in accordance with certain conditions </span><span> </span></li><li><a href="https://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2025/2025-03-26/html/sor-dors70-eng.html#:~:text=au%20sol)-,medium%20remotely%20piloted%20aircraft,-means%20a%20remotely" target="_blank"><span>Medium Drones</span></a>: You’ll be permitted to fly <span>drones with an operating weight of up to 150kg </span><span> </span></li><li><span>With an Advanced Certificate already in hand, you meet the prerequisite to begin your Level 1 Complex ground school (more in a moment). If you’ve passed the Advanced Certificate but only hold your Basic because you haven’t yet done your Flight Review, you can pursue the Level 1 Complex</span></li></ul><p><span><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1743191486395-indro-robotics-5g-drone-1080x675-1.jpg.webp" style="width:100%px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="5G Drone" /></span></p><h3 id="isPasted">And Routine, Low-Risk BVLOS?</h3><p>This was an area the industry had really been pushing for in the new regulations. Specifically, to be able to carry out such flights without the need for a Special Flight Operations Certificate. Here, too, there’s good news:</p><ul><li><span>After November 4 2025, you’ll be able to fly low-risk BVLOS if you hold a Level 1 Complex RPAS pilot certification (CAR 901.89). This means BVLOS in uncontrolled airspace and away from people</span></li><li><span>Permits the operation of a 250g – 150kg RPAS to conduct a BVLOS operation in uncontrolled airspace and one kilometre or more from a </span><a href="https://populated%20area/" target="_blank"><span>populated area</span></a><span> </span></li><li><span>Permits the operation of a 250g – 25kg RPAS to conduct a BVLOS operation in uncontrolled airspace over a </span><a href="https://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2025/2025-03-26/html/sor-dors70-eng.html#:~:text=a%C3%A9ronef%20t%C3%A9l%C3%A9pilot%C3%A9)-,sparsely%20populated%20area,-means%20an%20area" target="_blank"><span>sparsely populated area</span></a><span> or at one kilometre or more from a </span><a href="https://populated%20area/" target="_blank"><span>populated area</span></a><span> </span></li><li><span>In addition to holding a Level 1 Complex pilot certificate, you also need to be an RPAS Operator (RPOC) or an employee/agent of one and comply with the conditions of your certificate (CAR 901.88)</span><span> </span></li></ul><p><span>   </span><span> </span></p><h3><span>Interesting Nuggets:</span><span> </span></h3><ul><li><span>RPAS Operating Certificate uses the acronym RPOC rather than ROC (as was drafted previously). This is likely in response to anticipated confusion with the ROC-A or Radio Operator Certificate with Aeronautical qualification issued by ISED</span></li><li><span>The new regs contain detailed guidance for visual observers and their requirements in various scenarios</span></li><li><span>You can’t “daisy chain” Visual Observers for EVLOS over greater distances. The pilot/control station needs to be at the take-off and landing area</span><span> and the RPA can’t go further than 2 NM from the pilot, control station AND VO. </span></li><li><span>Despite previous suggestions, there is no medical requirement! Just fit-to-fly rules like previously</span></li></ul><p> </p><p><span>There are also some changes to SFOC requirements. Police operations at events won’t require an SFOC. Department of National Defence operations won’t require them, just adequate coordination. </span><span>In addition, you’ll be able to drop lifesaving gear without an SFOC, providing you don’t create a hazard. </span></p><p>Declarations, maintenance and servicing will take on a more prevalent role (not surprising, given the EVLOS, low-risk BVLOS, and the ease of restrictions on flying heavier drones). It’s also worth noting that the already-useful<span> </span><a href="https://nrc.canada.ca/en/drone-tool/" target="_blank"><span>Drone Site Selection Tool</span></a><span> (DSST) will get upgraded to include new situational data layers for lower-risk BVLOS. These layers will include population density, aerodromes, controlled airspace, and Detect and Avoid requirements.</span><span> </span><span><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1743191858232-DJI-Dock-Banner-jpg.webp" style="width:100%px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="DJI Dock" /></span><br /></p><h3 id="isPasted">Kate's Take</h3><p>Canada Gazette II is a massive document. I actually tried to do a word count and the computer simply froze in fear. But, in conjunction with all of the above, here are some final key takeaways:</p><ul><li><strong>Don’t freak out: There’s plenty of time to process and time to act.</strong> There are no major changes happening before November 4th, though you’ll probably want to get your ducks in a row before then if you anticipate your flying season extending beyond that date</li><li>For maybe the first time ever, <strong>regulations have outpaced technology</strong>. We still (desperately) need technical detect solutions that are reliable, capable and affordable</li><li>We’ve had a few folks reach out about <strong>ground school for Level 1 Complex</strong> and yes – we absolutely will be offering this. At <a href="https://flyy.thinkific.com/" target="_blank">FLYY</a>, we have things well underway as we were anticipating this announcement.</li></ul><p>Unlike previous ground schools, there are some instructor requirements that need to be in place before we can even make the declaration to TC that we’re offering TP15530 compliant training. We’re on top of it!</p><p>We plan to start offering live, TC-compliant courses prior to the end of April. Over a series of weeks, these courses will run every Wednesday at 0930 PDT for 2.5 hours. These sessions will be recorded and made available to all course participants to review or watch at their leisure. We’ll keep you posted as we get closer to launch.</p><p>You can take advantage of our <strong>presale </strong><a href="https://flyy.thinkific.com/courses/L1C-groundschool" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a> to make sure you’re first in line.</p>

What the new drone regulations mean for you and your drone operations.

Canada's New Drone Regulations

<p>The SeaPerch underwater robot is a popular educational tool for students in grades 5 to 12.  Building and piloting SeaPerch, a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), involves a variety of hand fabrication processes, electronics techniques, and STEM concepts. Through the SeaPerch program, educators and students explore structures, electronics, and underwater dynamics.  </p><p>“SeaPerch has had a tremendous impact on the fields of ocean science and engineering,” says Andrew Bennett ’85, PhD ’97, MIT SeaGrant education administrator and senior lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering (MechE).</p><p>The original SeaPerch project was launched by <a href="https://seagrant.mit.edu/">MIT Sea Grant</a> in 2003. In the decades that followed, it quickly spread across the country and overseas, creating a vibrant community of builders. Now under the leadership of RoboNation, SeaPerch continues to thrive with competitions around the world. These competitions introduce challenging real-world problems to foster creative solutions. Some recent topics have included deep sea mining and collecting data on hydrothermal vents.</p><p><span><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iTNzBFul4C8?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0&amp;enablejsapi=1&amp;origin=https://www.wevolver.com" frameborder="0"></iframe></span><em>An underwater robot with a mission<br />Video: Department of Mechanical Engineering</em></p><p><a href="https://seagrant.mit.edu/seaperch2/">SeaPerch II</a>, which has been in development at MIT Sea Grant since 2021, builds on the original program by adding robotics and elements of marine and climate science. It remains a “do-it-yourself” maker project with objectives that are achievable by middle and high school students. Bennett says he hopes SeaPerch II will enable an even greater impact by providing an approachable path to learning more about sensors, robotics, climate science, and more.</p><p>“What I think is most valuable about it is that it uses hardware store components that need to be cut, waterproofed, connected, soldered, or somehow processed before becoming part of the robot or controller,” says Diane Brancazio ME ’90, K-12 maker team leader for the MIT Edgerton Center, who co-leads the MIT SeaPerch initiative with Bennett. “[It’s] kind of like making a cake from scratch, instead of from a mix — you see what goes into the final product and how it all comes together.”</p><p>SeaPerch II is a family of modules that allow students and educators to create educational adventures tailored to their particular wants or requirements. Offerings include a pressure and temperature sensing module that can be used on its own; an autonomy module that the students can use to construct a closed-loop automatic depth control system for their SeaPerch; and a lesson module for soft robotic “fingers” that can be configured into grippers, distance sensors, and bump sensors.</p><p>The basic SeaPerch is a PVC pipe structure with three motors and a tether to a switch box. Through the building process, students learn about buoyancy, structural design, hand fabrication, and electric circuits. SeaPerch II leverages technologies that are more advanced, less expensive, and more accessible than they were when SeaPerch was first conceived. Bennett says SeaPerch II is meant to extend the original SeaPerch program without invalidating any of the existing system.</p><p>Teagan Sullivan, a third-year student in mechanical engineering, first became involved with the project in January 2023 through an Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program project with MIT Sea Grant. Initially, she continued development of the soft robotics portion of the project, before switching to a more general focus where she worked on frame design for SeaPerch II, making sure components could fit and that stability could be maintained. Later she helped run outreach programs, taking feedback from the students she worked with to help modify designs and make them “more robust and kid-friendly.”</p><p>“I have been able to see the impact of SeaPerch II on a small scale by working directly with students,” Sullivan says. “I have seen how it encourages creativity, and how it has taught kids that collaboration is the best road to success. SeaPerch II teaches the basics of electronics, coding, and manufacturing, but its best strength is the ability to challenge the way people think and encourage critical thinking.”</p><p>The team’s vision is to create opportunities for young people to engage in authentic science investigations and engineering challenges, developing a passion for engineering, science, and the aquatic environment. MIT Sea Grant is continuing to develop new SeaPerch II modules, including incorporating land-water communication, salinity and dissolved oxygen sensors, and fluorometers.</p><p>Sullivan says she hopes the program will reach more students and inspire them to take an interest in engineering while teaching the skills they need to be the next generation of problem-solvers. Brancazio says she hopes this project inspires and prepares young people to work on climate change issues.</p><p>“Robots are supposed to help people do things they couldn’t otherwise do,” Brancazio says. “SeaPerch is a robot with a mission.”</p>

A SeaPerch with a gripper module drives around the 3,000-gallon tank in the teaching lab at MIT SeaGrant. Photo: Sharmi Shah/MechE

Launched by MIT Sea Grant, SeaPerch and SeaPerch II have had a big impact on young learners interested in ocean science and engineering.

SeaPerch: A robot with a mission

<p id="isPasted">So. You want to buy a robot.&nbsp;</p><p>Maybe you’re in the academia or R&amp;D fields, and you need a robot for research. Or you’re a commercial/industrial client, looking for a device to carry out regular maintenance inspection, surveillance, or some other repeatable data acquisition task. You might even be looking for a robot that can pick things up and move them from one location to another.&nbsp;</p><p>Regardless of the use-case, you’ll have a budget. And you’ll want to make the most of it.&nbsp;</p><p>The question is: How, precisely, do you do that? How can you ensure you’re getting the best bang – and robot – for the buck?</p><p>At InDro, we take pride in how we work with clients to ensure they’re maximising their spend while we minimise their pain. Regardless of where you ultimately purchase a robot, we hope the tips this post reveals will help inform your choice.</p><p><em>Below: ‘Rosie’ – a highly complex dual-manipulator robot InDro built for a client</em><em><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1740415359859-Rosie.png.webp" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Roșie Mobile Manipulation Robot"></em><br></p><h3 id="isPasted">Buy Only What You Need</h3><p>It’s a big world out there. And there’s more than one place to go robot shopping. But many suppliers lock clients into “packages” – which include a fixed number of sensors. Those packages tend to be rigid, even if the client might already have some of the desired components.</p><p>“They tend to bundle in components, be it expensive cameras or sensors or compute that the client already has,” explains Head of R&amp;D Sales Luke Corbeth.</p><p>At InDro, he says, there’s an important difference.</p><p>“What we’re able to uniquely do is custom outfit a robot to only include what they need – so they don’t need to repurchase a 3D LiDAR or, say, a depth camera.&nbsp;If someone says, ‘Oh, I want this package but don’t need an IMU because I already have one,’ then we can bump down the cost and just not include the IMU.”</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>Build Modular&nbsp;</h3><p>Needs evolve over time – as does technology. So it’s quite likely, during the lifespan of your robot, that more powerful sensors will be released. Or perhaps your own needs will change, and you realise that adding a thermal camera would really benefit a new use-case. That’s where <a href="https://indrorobotics.ca/indro-commander-module-streamlines-robotics-rd/" target="_blank">InDro Commander</a> (and <a href="https://indrorobotics.ca/the-new-indro-command-module-amazing-power-in-a-tiny-package/" target="_blank">InDro Cortex</a>, which we’ll touch on later) come in.</p><p>Pretty much every robot we ship comes with a version of InDro Commander or the more compact InDro Backpack. Both of these boxes instantly transform any platform into a smart robot.</p><p>How do they do that? The simple explanation is that Commander and InDro Backpack are a Plug &amp; Play hub that combines powerful compute and remote teleoperation mission planning capabilities via InDro Controller with instant sensor integration. There are a couple of features here that are key.</p><p>InDro Controller is a secure, user-friendly remote mission planner. It allows you to plan repeatable tasks on complex missions with a few clicks. Want to zoom in on that gauge to ensure normal operating parameters aren’t being exceeded? No problem. Manually carry out that operation just once and InDro Controller will remember it for next time. (Oh, and InDro Controller is regularly updated.)</p><p>But the real key is Commander’s future-proofing. Clients can add sensors simply by plugging them into one of Commander’s multiple USB slots. The onboard Robot Operating System library will automatically detect the new sensor and add it to the InDro Controller dashboard. Clients don’t need to do any coding or soldering to ensure the perfect fit. (Plus, we have multiple autonomy software stacks, also continuously updated, that can be added.)</p><p>The ease of sensor integration with InDro Commander and InDro Controller means the client can modify or otherwise update their robot with additional or newer sensors without the hassle – and time and cost – normally associated with the task.</p><p><em>Below: InDro’s Commander – ready for anything you can throw at it</em></p><p><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1740415925739-InDro+Commander+1.3.png" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="InDro Commander"></p><h3 id="isPasted">Buy Quality</h3><p>You know that old maxim: You get what you pay for.</p><p>That’s usually true. But sometimes, as we’ve all experienced, you can overpay. And this is particularly true in the world of robotics. With some LiDAR units costing many tens of thousands of dollars, you’ll want to be absolutely certain you’re getting the best value (as with any other sensor). But with so many choices out there, how is a customer to discern what, truly, is ‘best’? It’s not like there’s a Rotten Tomatoes for LiDAR out there.</p><p>In the case of InDro, we’ve been building custom robots – for ourselves and our clients – for a long time. We’ve integrated and tested sensors from all the major manufacturers. And we’ve learned a <em>lot</em> during that process.</p><p>“We’ve built so many robots – and we’ve used pretty much every available LiDAR, depth camera, etc. on the market along the way,” says Corbeth. “As a result,&nbsp;what we offer in terms of components is the direct result of what we’ve seen have the best performance per dollar. We also look at: What’s easiest to work with from a development perspective? These criteria are all factored into our decisions on who we partner with.”</p><p>While Luke isn’t a trained engineer, he has a deep understanding of client needs, available solutions – and engineering in general. But when he’s got a question on behalf of a client, he also has our core R&amp;D engineering team to tap on. We also have InDro Forge, our fabrication and manufacturing facility in Ottawa, for building custom enclosures and integration. This allows us full quality control, infinite customisation capabilities, and speeds the process of getting a finished robot out the door without having anything done by a third party.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>After The Sale</h3><p>InDro has built a reputation not only for its robots, but for its support of everything we sell. If clients ever have an issue, our engineering team gets to work. We have three well-established tiers of support, shown here in order of escalation:</p><ul><li>Remote troubleshooting</li><li>Dispatching a Field Engineer to the client’s location</li><li>Return to the robot to InDro for repair</li></ul><p>“I would say in 90 per cent of cases we can we can remotely solve any issues – especially if it has <a href="https://indrorobotics.ca/new-indro-controller-a-simple-solution-to-complex-robotics-missions/" target="_blank">InDro Controller</a>. That makes it really easy to troubleshoot and update,” says Corbeth.</p><p>“But if it doesn’t, then sometimes it may make sense to go in-person and do those changes on behalf of the client on site.”</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>Cortex</h3><p>Because we’re a R&amp;D company, we are constantly looking for ways to enhance our offerings. And while Commander is still both current and powerful, we’ve put considerable resources into making it even better – and much smaller.</p><p>InDro Cortex is the next generation of Commander, in a form factor so small it can easily be added to any platform: Wheeled, quadruped, humanoid – even a drone. With powerful compute, ROS1 and ROS2 libraries, InDro Controller and USB slots for sensors onboard, it’s ready for any mission. And, like Commander, InDro Cortex is a way of future-proofing your robot. If you’ve opted for InDro Controller or one of several autonomy stack options, you’ll always be working with the latest version of the software (in addition to being able to easily integrate new sensors).</p><p>“Cortex is the natural progression of Commander,” says Corbeth. “But because of the way it’s structured, it’s going to cost a lot less. So we’ll be able to outfit a robot with compute, sensors and connectivity at a fraction of the cost – which is really exciting.”</p><p>It is. And we look forward to a full commercial release of Cortex (which will also be available as a standalone product) by early summer. You can have a sneak peek, for free, below:</p><p><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1740416467600-DSCF7893-scaled.jpg.webp" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="InDro Command Module"></p><h3 id="isPasted">InDro's Take</h3><p>If purchasing a robot is on your to-do list, we’d obviously like for you to consider InDro. But even if you don’t, we hope you’ll look for a supplier who offers everything we do, including:</p><ul><li>Track record with satisfied customers</li><li>Components that have been field-tested for quality and value</li><li>In-house manufacturing expertise</li><li>Modular integration ease with after-sale support</li></ul><p>The addition of InDro Forge to our capacity cannot be understated. We are now capable of all aspects of production, including IP-rated custom metal work for enclosures.</p><p>“Buying a robot is generally a significant capital expenditure,” says InDro Founder and CEO Philip Reece. “Our background as a research and development company, where we have invented and built so many robots from scratch, has taught us how to produce the absolute best products we can for the money. Those learnings – and there have been many – now benefit our clients.”</p><p>And, for those clients who know precisely what components or platforms they need, there’s also the new <a href="https://store.indrorobotics.com/" target="_blank">InDro Store</a>. Happy shopping!</p>

How to Maximize Your Robot Without Blowing Your Budget

Building a Robot on a Budget

<section id="isPasted"><p>The application of advanced sensors and navigation methods in Deep Trekker ROVs are utilized across a broad range of industries, including marine research, search and recovery, underwater inspection, aquaculture, offshore infrastructure maintenance, and environmental monitoring, to name a few.</p><p>With reliable positioning and navigation in complex underwater environments, Deep Trekker ROVs allow engineers, scientists, and business owners to conduct underwater operations with efficiency, accuracy, and reliability.</p><p><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/kzewhs8e6cvu/2pPsqeVVEJswEDyNlYWJq3/970485e2d8b1e002856c63eca7231f7d/IMG_4293.jpg" alt="PIVOT bottom view" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></p><p>Deep Trekker employs a suite of advanced sensors and methods to overcome the challenges of underwater navigation, enabling true underwater positioning. In this article, we explore the various types of sensors utilized by Deep Trekker, their performance comparisons, testing methodologies, and ongoing advancements in underwater navigation technology.</p></section><section><h2>Deep Trekker IMU Testing and Evaluation</h2><p>In our pursuit of refining underwater navigation, Deep Trekker has rigorously evaluated a spectrum of positioning systems, examining their operational complexities and real-world performance. Nemanja Kliska, Deep Trekker Team Lead and Autonomy Systems Engineer, provides insights into the nuanced distinctions between these systems, describing their functionalities and inherent trade-offs.</p><p>Navigating this intricate landscape, Deep Trekker has meticulously curated an optimized solution, fusing the DVL with the IMU to strike a delicate balance between cost-effectiveness and performance.</p><p>This approach mirrors market leaders, though at a fraction of the cost, thus democratizing access to cutting-edge positioning technologies.</p></section><section><h2>How Does the Deep Trekker System Compare to FOG IMUs?</h2><p>Aside from the exorbitant price point of FOG IMUs compared to the much more affordable MEMS, a crucial distinction lies in the impact of magnetic interference on heading stability.</p><p>Kliska notes, "While both MEMS and FOG IMUs offer accurate Dead Reckoning, FOG IMUs do not utilize a compass and therefore excel in environments with significant magnetic interference, such as near metal wrecks or ships. Their stability remains unaffected, ensuring precise navigation even in challenging conditions."</p><p>Another significant operational distinction is the pre-mission preparation required for FOG IMUs. Prior to starting a mission, FOG IMUs necessitate initialization on land, where they must remain stationary on stable, flat ground for a period typically ranging from 10 to 15 minutes.</p><p>This initialization process cannot be conducted aboard a vessel. This requirement highlights the need for careful planning and consideration of environmental factors when deploying FOG IMUs, contrasting with the more flexible deployment options offered by systems like Deep Trekker’s Dead Reckoning implementation with observation class ROVs.</p><p><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/kzewhs8e6cvu/NC15dnMN5waaIYzMWl6iB/9799cff97f79eed9899237280739a33f/new_gif.gif" alt="Quick deployment GIF for Dead Reckoning" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></p></section><section><h2>Underwater Navigational Challenges and Solutions</h2><p>Deep Trekker's navigation systems encounter diverse environmental factors, necessitating adaptive solutions. Kliska explains, "In scenarios like ship hull inspections, where magnetic interference is inevitable, MEMS IMUs, though prone to magnetic noise, provide flexibility and rapid deployment, making them ideal for dynamic applications." Deep Trekker has also developed different modes for its ROVs that can be switched in real-time to address and navigate issues arising from magnetic interference.</p><p>Kliska adds, “It’s also important to note that we have found that most of the magnetic interference happens near the engine room of the ship, allowing us to cover inspections of 95% of the submerged portions of the vessels virtually unaffected.” For the remainder, switching modes allows the ROV to continue the inspection without being affected by ferrous environments.</p></section><section><p>In this context of ship hull inspections, where precise navigation amidst magnetic interference is critical, MEMS IMUs provide a practical solution. Their ability to adapt to varying magnetic fields while maintaining agility and responsiveness enables effective maneuvering around obstacles and complex structures. This adaptability ensures that Deep Trekker's navigation systems remain effective and reliable, even in challenging maritime environments where magnetic interference is present.</p><p><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/kzewhs8e6cvu/76y0rV73H4Knpiq1h0jdGP/654a1b0426b093d3ada261e9c8bb45d7/gif-__ROV_MOVING_ALONG_HULL_OF_SHIP_WITH_TRACK_LINE_FOLLOWING.gif" alt="gif- ROV MOVING ALONG HULL OF SHIP WITH TRACK LINE FOLLOWING" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></p><p>By leveraging MEMS IMUs, Deep Trekker ROVs navigate through intricate underwater environments with agility and precision, allowing tasks such as ship hull inspections to be carried out efficiently and accurately. Despite the inherent challenges posed by magnetic interference, the flexibility and rapid deployment capabilities of MEMS IMUs ensure that Deep Trekker's navigation systems remain the ideal solution for underwater inspections and operations.</p></section><section><h2>Testing Methodologies and Performance Evaluation</h2><p>Deep Trekker employs comprehensive testing methodologies to validate IMU performance across various environments. Kliska outlines, "Our testing encompasses top-down validation, where ROVs navigate predefined courses to assess performance. Additionally, our bottom-up analysis involves analyzing sensor specifications and dynamic performance to refine our Sensor Fusion algorithms."</p><p>Top-down validation constitutes a cornerstone of Deep Trekker's testing approach. Within this framework, ROVs are tasked with navigating predefined courses, serving as real-world proxies to evaluate IMU performance under operational conditions. This methodological approach offers a holistic perspective, allowing Deep Trekker to explore the IMU's performance in scenarios mirroring actual field deployments.</p><p><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/kzewhs8e6cvu/52yLjMKxmpRua9syAK20zJ/03f82cd02b692059385384cf67b6e1f5/gif-__MISSION_PLANNER_ROV_MAP_POINTS_BEING_PLOTTED_AND_ROV_GOING_TO_POINTS.gif" alt="gif- MISSION PLANNER ROV MAP POINTS BEING PLOTTED AND ROV GOING TO POINTS" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></p><p>In parallel, bottom-up analysis forms an integral component of Deep Trekker's testing regimen. This analytical process requires a meticulous examination of sensor specifications and dynamic performance parameters. By exploring the intricacies of sensor behavior and responsiveness, Deep Trekker refines its Sensor Fusion algorithms, which serve as the bedrock for integrating data from multiple sensors to improve accuracy and reliability.</p></section><section><h2>Ensuring Reliability Through Real-World Validation and Customer Collaboration</h2><p>Kliska emphasizes the importance of real-world validation, stating, "In addition to in-house testing, we engage with customers to address specific challenges encountered in diverse environments. For instance, mitigating issues like depth-dependent error propagation in deep-sea operations requires tailored solutions and continuous refinement."</p><p>In deep-sea operations, errors can amplify with increasing depth due to environmental pressures and other factors. Addressing such issues requires more than just standard testing procedures; it necessitates the development of tailored solutions that are finely tuned to the unique conditions of deep-sea environments. This involves continuously refining algorithms and system components to ensure dependable performance at depths.</p><p><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/kzewhs8e6cvu/7pfpFrKdDWAlNHWfqjG270/5d60c9e8b8a3b8c224988922331ea332/image1.jpg" alt="underwater marine rov" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></p><p>Engaging with customers allows Deep Trekker to gather valuable feedback and insights from actual field operations, which is instrumental in identifying areas for improvement and innovation. By integrating customer experiences and specific use-case scenarios into the development process, Deep Trekker can create more robust and effective solutions that are precisely aligned with the practical demands of underwater exploration and inspection.</p><p>In essence, ensuring reliability in challenging environments is an ongoing process that blends rigorous testing with real-world application and customer collaboration. This dynamic approach enables Deep Trekker to not only meet but exceed the expectations of performance and reliability in some of the most demanding and unpredictable underwater environments.</p></section><section><h2>Deep Trekker’s Advancements in Sensor Fusion Algorithms</h2><p>Deep Trekker places a high priority on the stability of its algorithms and the redundancy of its sensors to enhance the reliability of its navigation systems. Kliska elaborates on the advancements in their Sensor Fusion algorithms, highlighting how these improvements are pivotal for maintaining accurate and stable navigation in challenging underwater environments.</p><p><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/kzewhs8e6cvu/4KKsmSZIZb87u2dJ7JgIob/239d1f47041ceced3f824d475a4442d7/Sequence_01__2_.gif" alt="Bridge Tech GIF - ROV features " class="fr-fic fr-dii"></p><p>"Our Sensor Fusion algorithms are designed to integrate data from a variety of sensors," Kliska explains. This integration process is dynamic, with the algorithms constantly recalibrating in real-time to ensure that the data remains stable and reliable, even as the conditions around the ROV change. This constant recalibration helps to smooth out any discrepancies or anomalies that might arise from individual sensor readings, leading to a more consistent and accurate navigational output.</p><p>Deep Trekker has also implemented robust recovery mechanisms within their systems. These mechanisms are crucial for maintaining operation in the event of a sensor failure. If one sensor experiences an issue or fails, the system can autonomously detect the problem and switch to backup sensors without interrupting the ROV's operation. This redundancy ensures that the vehicle can continue its mission seamlessly, providing a significant advantage in critical and time-sensitive underwater tasks.</p></section><section><h2>Mitigating Magnetic Distortions and Startup Time</h2><p>Drawing from empirical data, Deep Trekker's testing initiatives have unveiled inherent challenges, such as mitigating magnetic distortions that affect heading and accuracy. Nemanja recounts a ship hull inspection in Hamilton, ON, Canada, wherein deviations in reported heading necessitated manual compensations to align with actual trajectories, highlighting the nuanced calibration complexities inherent in mitigating magnetic disturbances. Deep Trekker addresses these challenges by employing Sensor Fusion algorithms designed to compensate for such errors.</p><p><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/kzewhs8e6cvu/5MSRKJ1sxvX7SYrQGkVMXa/6e443e90316c0815994f162112f5ee07/gif_-_UNCERTAINTY_CIRCLE_GROWING.gif" alt="gif - growing radar circles" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></p><p>Deep Trekker's commitment to user-centric design is evident in simplifying startup procedures, forgoing prolonged settling times characteristic of FOG based IMUs. By circumventing laborious calibration procedures and leveraging pre-calibrated sensor arrays, Deep Trekker expedites operational readiness, augmenting user convenience without compromising navigational integrity.</p><p>“Typically, a FOG IMU requires about 15 minutes of settling time and that's used to determine the sensor bias,” explains Kliska, “And so, with the higher end FOG based IMUs, you're required to put it on a flat, static surface where it's not moving while it's calibrating, so you can't start up on a boat. Then there's some other startup systems once you get in the water, you have to have DVL calibrate itself, so you have to move around until it gets a lock. Overall, it takes about 20-25 minutes of calibration before you can start running a mission.</p><blockquote><p><em>With the Deep Trekker system, you can deploy right away, and you can do that off a boat, too; you don't need to have it on the ground.”</em></p></blockquote></section><section><h2>Leveraging USBL and GPS Augmentation</h2><p>To enhance Dead Reckoning methodologies, Deep Trekker explores the symbiotic integration of absolute position sources, defined by USBL and GPS systems. While USBL technologies offer exceptional precision in open water environments, their effectiveness is limited due to acoustic reflections and background noise, necessitating meticulous setup considerations to mitigate environmental constraints.</p><p><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/kzewhs8e6cvu/44JQg30N2pCLOHc6yU6Mdz/b9f40ba7029563a751b89e4d74816d1a/usbl_graphic.png" alt="USBL infographic" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></p><p>Conversely, GPS systems have robust global positioning capabilities, albeit confined to surface operations, thus necessitating seamless transitions to Dead Reckoning methodologies when submerged.</p><p>Deep Trekker's strategic use of MEMS IMU and DVL configurations, combined with USBL and ROV GPS integration, delivers a versatile positioning suite adaptable to diverse operational requirements.</p></section><section><h2>Practical Validation and Future Prospects</h2><p>In summary, the incorporation of advanced sensors and positioning techniques transforms underwater navigation with Deep Trekker ROVs. By integrating IMU, DVL, USBL, and other state-of-the-art technologies like Dead Reckoning, Deep Trekker ROVs offer groundbreaking precision and reliability in navigating challenging underwater environments.</p><p>Deep Trekker's dedication to pushing the boundaries of underwater technology positions them as leaders in the field, offering pioneering solutions for underwater inspections and research. Continuously redefining the capabilities of underwater navigation, Deep Trekker is opening new avenues for exploration and innovation in marine industries while laying the groundwork for future discoveries and advancements.</p></section><section><h2><br></h2></section>

Operator viewing screen on ROV handheld controller.

Discover how Deep Trekker rigorously tests and evaluates IMU technologies, comparing MEMS and FOG systems to ensure precise underwater navigation for ROVs. 

Deep Trekker IMU Testing: A Detailed Look at MEMS and FOG Technologies

small boat deploying an ROV for marine research.

Discover the vital role of underwater positioning in marine science, and how remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) are leading the way in location tracking. 

Case Study: Environmental Monitoring and Pipeline Inspections with GreatPacific Consulting Ltd.

<p id="isPasted">If you follow our news, you’re likely familiar with our Sentinel inspection robot. It’s been built specifically for monitoring critical assets like electrical substations etc. – places where you need regular eyes on assets without the cost and inconvenience of having a human being on site.</p><p>We are pleased to announce that InDro Robotics has perfected an outdoor enclosure that keeps Sentinel protected from harsh weather, while allowing for wireless recharging.</p><p>“If you imagine a robot in any sort of demanding outdoor environment to improve the longevity of the equipment, you want to keep it away from the elements as much as possible – which is why the enclosure exists,” explains Luke Corbeth, InDro’s Head of R&amp;D Sales.</p><p>“For any demanding outdoor application such as substation inspection, solar farm inspection, etcetera, you’re going to want to keep the robot out of the rain, away from the wind, out of direct heat. These elements are why the enclosure exists.”</p><p>And the best part? Sentinel can autonomously return to that enclosure to rest and recharge completely on its own. And that makes it perfect for even the most distant of assets. If there’s a cellular connection, Sentinel can be a totally remote employee.</p><p><em>Below: The new Sentinel enclosure, on site at our R&amp;D headquarters at Ottawa’s <a href="https://areaxo.com/" target="_blank">Area X.O</a></em><em><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1736795134866-DSC02602-scaled.jpg.webp" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Sentinel's Enclosure"></em><br></p><h3 id="isPasted">January, February, March…</h3><p>And what comes next? April, of course. And the reason we’re going down this road is because Sentinel finds its roost using a code known as AprilTags. They’re similar to QR codes, but have been designed for 3D orientation. Sentinel’s enclosure uses AprilTags – which are detected by onboard cameras – for the robot to find its way home, and snug up nice and close to its wireless recharging system.</p><p>“The robot is trained to know exactly what these tags look like from every angle,” says Corbeth. “And by looking at these tags, it’s able to determine: ‘Oh, I’m a little bit off in this direction, so I need to make this adjustment.’ That ensures that we have a smooth and reliable docking and undocking sequence every single time the robot goes in and out of the enclosure.”</p><p>There’s a slightly inclined ramp for Sentinel to access this tiny recharging home. And the floor is deliberately a bit slippery in order for Sentinel to fine-tune its docking procedure by, for lack of a better word, drifting inside the enclosure to get its bearings.. And the charging system? Amazing.</p><p>The Wibotics charger is incredibly efficient. One hour of wireless charging is enough for Sentinel to fully recharge and deploy on a five-hour mission. Let’s repeat that: One hour of wireless charging gives Sentinel <em>five hours</em> on the ground.</p><p>The other advantage is that, because it’s wireless, there are no mechanical interfaces. These can be a potential point of failure, which is the last thing you’d want on a remote, autonomous installation. The whole point of these installations is for a robot to take care of things on its own.</p><p>“Anytime you have a mechanical interface, there are usually prongs involved. These can get bent or damaged – which is the last thing you’d want on a remote installation. So wireless charging completely eliminates that potential point of failure,” says Corbeth.</p><p><em>Below: Sentinel in its enclosure. You can see one of the AprilTags, which are used for&nbsp;</em><em>Sentinel to perfectly align with the Wibotics charger</em><em><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1736795187456-DSC02609-scaled.jpg.webp" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></em><br></p><h3 id="isPasted">Real World Demo</h3><p>Sentinel has been through multiple iterations as platforms, sensors and &nbsp;compute improve. The newest version uses a wheeled platform (though a separate version with treads is available). Compute is a powerful AI-enabled processor capable of many Trillions of Operations per Second (TOPS). And because we deploy with InDro Controller, our in-house user interface, Sentinel can be easily programmed to repeat highly complex tasks.</p><p>Say, for example, you are particularly interested in the reading on a gauge. The first time you deploy Sentinel using InDro Controller, you would manually adjust the Pan-Tilt-Zoom camera to capture an image of that asset. But once you’ve done it once? InDro Controller remembers the settings – so you can deploy Sentinel on an autonomous mission and it will remember all parameters. It will capture the same image, on its own, during any subsequent deployment. This applies to any sensor, capturing any data.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>Hydro Ottawa &nbsp;Demo</h3><p>Recently, InDro got in touch with Hydro Ottawa. We were looking to deploy Sentinel in a real-world situation, and Hydro Ottawa has an electrical substation in the city. We were interested in testing Sentinel in that scenario, and Hydro Ottawa was interested in seeing what Sentinel could do.</p><p>We deployed over the Rogers 5G network, using <a href="https://indrorobotics.ca/new-indro-controller-a-simple-solution-to-complex-robotics-missions/" target="_blank">InDro Controller</a> to quickly plot its route and some specific Points of Interest (which did indeed include a gauge). Then we let Sentinel go about its business completely on its own with an autonomous mission.</p><p>The result? Phenomenal. Sentinel captured all the salient data, demonstrating its immense capabilities as a ‘set and forget’ robot. Now that the data is in InDro Controller, Sentinel can carry out the same mission on a schedule with zero human intervention. Data will be automatically uploaded – and Sentinel is even capable of sending alerts if, say, that gauge was sending a reading of concern.</p><p>“We were able to plot a full preventative maintenance mission – and then run it autonomously several times within a two-hour window,” says Corbeth.</p><p>What’s more? It was freezing cold, putting Sentinel to the test in a harsh environment. This is what this robot was built to carry out – and can operate in environments from -20C to +30C.</p><p>And the Hydro Ottawa people?</p><p>“They were blown away,” says Corbeth. “They even told me: ‘Luke, your team should be very proud.'”</p><p>We are.</p><p><em>Below: Sentinel at a Hydro Ottawa substation</em><em><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1736795227848-DSC02754-scaled.jpg.webp" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Sentinel at Hydro Ottawa Substation"></em></p><h3 id="isPasted">INDRO’S TAKE</h3><p>Sentinel has been an ongoing project for InDro for several years. We have continually upgraded the product as newer sensors and AI compute capabilities have become available. In conjunction with InDro Controller, this is now a fully commercial product. In fact, we recently shipped three of these to a US client and look forward to reporting on this when they are first deployed (which is happening shortly).</p><p>“Sentinel is one of our core products,” says InDro Robotics Founder and CEO Philip Reece. “Our team, both at Area X.O and InDro Forge, have worked very hard on the design and integration of this product. And InDro Controller, under the hands of Head of Software RJ Bundy, is an extremely intuitive and powerful user interface. We look forward to manufacturing many more Sentinels in 2025.”</p><p>Oh. We almost forgot to tell you that Sentinel is available as a quadruped, so it can tackle stairs and more demanding environments. So cool.&nbsp;</p><p>Interested in learning more – including a remote demo where you can take control of Sentinel? Contact us <a href="https://indrorobotics.ca/connectwithanexpert/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.</p>

An outdoor enclosure that keeps Sentinel protected from harsh weather, while allowing for wireless recharging.

Wireless Charging Enclosure for Remote Operations

Explore 2D sonar mosaic mapping with Deep Trekker ROVs to create detailed underwater views for inspecting dams, canals, and tunnels in low-visibility waters.

2D Sonar Mosaic Mapping: All You Need to Know

<section id="isPasted"><h2>What Are Hull Inspections</h2><p>In the vast expanse of the ocean, where container ships traverse like modern-day superhighways, ensuring uninterrupted global trade relies significantly on the integrity of vessel hulls. The term "hull" encompasses the outer shell of a ship, subjected to constant interaction with water. Hull inspections entail meticulous examinations of this crucial component, vital for maintaining the vessel's structural soundness, operational safety, and efficiency. Whether exposed or covered with a deck, the hull plays a crucial role in the ship's framework, serving as the primary barrier against leaks.</p><p>Given the extensive expanse of ship hulls and their constant interaction with water, routine hull inspections are critically important. These inspections are essential due to the diverse range of interconnected elements, scenarios, and possible defects, and are instrumental in optimizing vessel performance.</p></section><section><h2>Significance of Hull Inspections</h2><p><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/kzewhs8e6cvu/3YwWuh97P77FJqavh93bXh/2d6802d2691a3e3d77474768018ed118/image6__3_.jpg" alt="DTG3 Ship Inspection -cta" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></p><p>Hull inspections are crucial for safeguarding maritime safety and operational integrity. By meticulously examining a ship's outer structure, these inspections identify and mitigate vulnerabilities such as corrosion, fractures, and material degradation. This preventive approach not only averts potential leaks and structural failures but also enhances the safety of crew members, passengers, and the marine environment.</p><p>Furthermore, adherence to regulatory standards, enhanced operational efficiency, and prolonged vessel lifespan reinforce the multifaceted importance of regular hull assessments in sustaining a reliable and environmentally responsible maritime industry.</p></section><section><h3>Defect Identification and Structural Integrity</h3><p>The hull acts as the first line of defense against water intrusion. From superficial scrapes to critical fractures, these assessments uncover various anomalies that could compromise the vessel's integrity. By detecting and addressing issues promptly, such as leaks, corrosion, or material weakening, inspectors mitigate the risk of escalating structural concerns that could jeopardize maritime safety and operational efficiency.</p><h3>Port Security</h3><p>Beyond structural considerations, hull inspections play a pivotal role in fortifying port security and mitigating potential risks. By scrutinizing the ship's exterior for anomalies, unauthorized alterations, or suspicious items, inspectors uphold security protocols and regulatory compliance. This proactive approach not only safeguards ports and coastal regions from potential threats but also emphasizes the importance of maintaining safety standards and preventing hazardous substances from infiltrating waterways.</p><h3>Mitigating Ecological Impact</h3><p>Fouling, the accumulation of marine organisms on a vessel's hull, poses ecological risks, including the introduction of invasive species and ecosystem disturbances. Regular hull inspections and maintenance endeavors are instrumental in mitigating this issue, preserving marine ecosystems, and curbing the proliferation of harmful species. Through proactive measures, such as antifouling paint assessments, operators can minimize ecological impact, uphold operational efficiency, and adhere to environmental stewardship principles.</p></section><section><h3>Checking Antifouling Paint</h3><p>Antifouling paint is applied to a ship's hull to prevent the buildup of marine organisms, such as barnacles, mussels, and algae, which can significantly impact the vessel's performance. Regular inspections ensure that the antifouling paint remains effective, preventing excessive fouling that can increase drag, reduce fuel efficiency by up to 40%, and compromise the ship's maneuverability.</p><p>By examining the condition of the antifouling paint during hull inspections, ship operators can identify any degradation or growth of organisms and take timely measures to maintain optimal performance, reduce operational costs, and minimize the ecological impact on marine ecosystems.</p></section><section><h2>Challenges Involved in Traditional Hull Inspection Methods</h2><p>Traditional hull inspection methods present several notable challenges. These methods are often costly and time-consuming, involving manual inspections by divers or technicians, leading to extended downtime for vessels.</p><p>Additionally, human error, limited accessibility to certain areas, and inconsistent data collection and analysis further compound the drawbacks. The costs associated with labor, equipment, and potential repairs are substantial. To address these issues, there's a growing interest in adopting advanced technologies, such as ROVs, for more efficient and comprehensive hull inspections.</p><h3>Time intensive procedures</h3><p>Conventional hull inspections demand considerable time investments. Manual assessments, involving diver or technician intervention, extend the inspection timeline, particularly for larger vessels. Factors such as scheduling diver availability, coordinating with surveyors, and obtaining necessary permits contribute to prolonged downtime for ships, disrupting operational schedules.</p><h3>Deployment Logistics</h3><p>Preparing for and deploying inspection teams, equipment, and tools can also be time-consuming. This includes assembling diving gear, positioning boats, and coordinating personnel, and it’s also important to note that ships must be disabled before working. Delays in deployment can further contribute to the overall time required for inspections.</p><h3>Limited Underwater Visibility</h3><p><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/kzewhs8e6cvu/77NtYl6EqyShtw7MEDOMqn/8e5393a946440f848bd83c1f48182854/ROV_Looking_at_Phone.jpg" alt="DTG3 underwater murky waters" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></p><p>Underwater visibility limitations present significant hurdles to accurate hull assessments. Murky water, sedimentation, and inadequate lighting obscure defect detection, potentially resulting in oversight or misinterpretation of critical issues.</p><p>Compass navigation can also be difficult in harsh conditions, presenting a challenge to divers and increasing the potential risks involved. Photos and conditions are noted manually, as well, which can be dependent on the weather and prone to human error.</p><h3>Safety Concerns</h3><p>Hull inspections come with inherent safety risks, especially when conducted by divers taking on tasks in complex environments. Divers may encounter low visibility, extreme temperatures, strong currents that can make maneuvering difficult and increase the chances of collision with objects or vessels, electrical hazards from equipment, and other dangerous or unpredictable conditions.</p><p>There is also the potential for accidents, injuries, or health risks associated with prolonged exposure to underwater environments, such as decompression sickness and exposure to dangerous marine life.</p></section><section><h2>Enhancing Hull Inspections with ROVs</h2><p>ROVs are revolutionizing the field of hull inspection by offering a transformative approach to assessing the condition of a ship's exterior. These advanced underwater robots are equipped with high definition cameras, sensors, and manipulation tools, allowing them to navigate intricate spaces and gather accurate data without the need for direct human intervention. The integration of ROVs in hull inspections streamlines operations, enhances safety, and facilitates data-driven decision-making, paving the way for a more efficient and sustainable maritime industry.</p><h3>Target Identification With Sonar</h3><p><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/kzewhs8e6cvu/6kjHANIlfEIo4qbGs7LdjK/b80d503170f1d68fa42d0c1fe46db5fc/MP1.png" alt="Advanced Data Capture" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></p><p>By harnessing sonar capabilities, ROVs empower maritime professionals to navigate complex underwater environments, ensuring comprehensive and accurate data collection during hull inspections. This integration of ROVs with sonar technology can provide a clear perspective in murky, or low visibility conditions, visualize a ship or object from a distance, identify structural areas of interest, and can swiftly and precisely locate potential anomalies, such as cracks or corrosion, even in challenging underwater conditions.</p><p>This advancement enhances the accuracy and efficiency of inspections by providing detailed real-time imagery and data, enabling maritime experts to make informed decisions about maintenance and repairs. The synergy of ROVs and sonar technology can expedite inspections, minimize downtime, and ultimately contribute to safer, more efficient, and cost-effective maritime operations.</p><h3>Mitigating Risks for Divers</h3><p>One of the greatest advantages of utilizing ROVs for hull inspections is the ability to minimize risks to human personnel. The integration of ROVs eliminates the necessity for divers to engage in perilous tasks like deep diving, operating in low visibility, unsafe surroundings, or enduring extreme temperatures. These underwater robots can access challenging or hazardous areas unsuitable for human divers, consequently diminishing the likelihood of accidents and injuries.</p><p>ROVs also enable real-time monitoring of divers from topside supervisors, meticulous inspections, and data gathering, facilitating precise risk evaluations and well-informed decision-making. Collectively, the incorporation of ROVs into diving operations offers significant promise in enhancing dive safety and safeguarding the welfare of divers.</p></section><section><h3>Cost and Time Efficiency</h3><p>By replacing the need for manual, diver-based inspections, ROVs significantly reduce labor costs and operational expenses, don’t require extensive permits and paperwork, and can be deployed in a matter of minutes by a single operator. These underwater robots can also swiftly maneuver through complex structures, access hard-to-reach areas with ease, and conduct inspections in a fraction of the time it would take human divers.</p><p>The real-time data capture capabilities of ROVs also accelerates the inspection process, enabling timely identification of potential issues. As a result, the integration of ROVs in hull inspection not only enhances accuracy and thoroughness but also delivers substantial savings in both time and resources, ultimately optimizing the overall efficiency of maritime maintenance practices.</p><h3>Recording Capabilities</h3><p>Equipped with high-definition cameras and sensors, ROVs facilitate detailed data capture and documentation during hull inspections. Recorded imagery and sensor data serve as comprehensive records, aiding in defect identification and tracking changes over time. This digital record enhances transparency, supports informed decision-making, and fosters effective communication among stakeholders, amplifying the precision and reliability of hull inspection processes.</p></section><section><h2>Hull Inspection Using Deep Trekker ROVs</h2><p><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/kzewhs8e6cvu/4M0wQHlOHc0cx0eZllaYxZ/750e73f43ff09cfed1ac8a7b05e02841/deep_trekker_family_of_rovs.webp" alt="Family photo group glamour shot full res" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></p><p>Deep Trekker leads the industry with innovative solutions designed to prioritize safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction in hull inspections for the defense and security sector. Our ROVs are at the forefront of underwater inspection technology, offering portability, ease of operation, and affordability. Equipped with state-of-the-art features including 4K cameras and powerful LED floodlights, our ROVs redefine the standards for hull inspections, ensuring comprehensive assessments with unmatched precision and efficiency. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in every aspect of our products and services, guaranteeing unparalleled reliability and performance</p><p>Take a look at a couple of our robotic systems for hull inspections in the defense and security industry:</p><h3>REVOLUTION ROV</h3><p><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://downloads.ctfassets.net/kzewhs8e6cvu/4H4NjDluiIL0HzoHj9U7RF/0aaf965ab8e7fe2b67793651ffd272ac/REV_Standalone.png" alt="REVOLUTION at Pier" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></p><p>The <a href="https://www.deeptrekker.com/products/underwater-rov/deep-trekker-revolution" target="_blank" rel="noopener">REVOLUTION</a> stands out as an exceptionally user-friendly and stable ROV for intricate underwater missions, powered by field-swappable lithium-ion batteries for extended portable usage. Driven by six powerful vectored thrusters, it offers unparalleled control and precise station holding capabilities. Additionally, it boasts an enhanced 4K camera for identifying smaller defects, featuring an expansive 260° field of view, a depth rating of 305 meters (1000 feet), and exceptionally bright LED floodlights.</p><p>With tether options up to 500 meters (1,640 feet), the REVOLUTION ensures extensive operational range. It also harnesses the power of BRIDGE technology and effortlessly integrates with an extensive range of add-ons and sensors, including sonar and visualization systems for up-close inspections in murky conditions, stability and positioning systems, thickness gauge integration for structural inspections, and many more industry-specific tools, guaranteeing seamless mission execution.</p><h3>Expert Guidance for Your Projects</h3><p>Our team of seasoned industry professionals stands ready to offer <a href="https://www.deeptrekker.com/contact-us" target="_blank" rel="noopener">expert guidance and support</a> to seamlessly integrate Deep Trekker ROVs into your projects. From initial consultation to customized solutions tailored to your specific requirements, we are dedicated to ensuring the success of your underwater inspection endeavors. Contact us today to embark on your journey with Deep Trekker.</p></section>

Ship hull with biofouling during an inspection with a Deep Trekker ROV

Discover how ROVs revolutionize defense and security missions, ensuring vessel hull safety and integrity. Explore cutting-edge robotic technology.

ROVs for Defense and Security Hull Inspection

<p><span contenteditable="false" draggable="true" class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2dl6UW6FHDc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0&amp;enablejsapi=1&amp;origin=https://www.wevolver.com" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe></span></p><p id="isPasted">“As the crow flies” is a common idiom referring to the shortest distance between two points, but the Laboratory of Intelligent Systems (<a href="https://www.epfl.ch/labs/lis/">LIS</a>), led by Dario Floreano, in EPFL’s School of Engineering has taken the phrase literally with RAVEN (Robotic Avian-inspired Vehicle for multiple ENvironments). Designed based on perching birds like ravens and crows that frequently switch between air and land, the multifunctional robotic legs allow it to take off autonomously in environments previously inaccessible to winged drones.</p><p>“Birds were the inspiration for airplanes in the first place, and the Wright brothers made this dream come true, but even today’s planes are still quite far from what birds are capable of,” says LIS PhD student Won Dong Shin. “Birds can transition from walking to running to the air and back again, without the aid of a runway or launcher. Engineering platforms for these kinds of movements are still missing in robotics.”</p><p><span contenteditable="false" draggable="true" class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/shorts?/b7j_8eWjA_g?feature=share&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0&amp;enablejsapi=1&amp;origin=https://www.wevolver.com" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe></span><br></p><p id="isPasted">RAVEN’s design is aimed at maximizing gait diversity while minimizing mass. Inspired by the proportions of bird legs (and lengthy observations of crows on EPFL’s campus), Shin designed a set of custom, multifunctional avian legs for a fixed-wing drone. He used a combination of mathematical models, computer simulations, and experimental iterations to achieve an optimal balance between leg complexity and overall drone weight (0.62kg). The resulting leg keeps heavier components close to the ‘body’, while a combination of springs and motors mimics powerful avian tendons and muscles. Lightweight avian-inspired feet composed of two articulated structures leverage a passive elastic joint that supports diverse postures for walking, hopping, and jumping.</p><p>“Translating avian legs and feet into a lightweight robotic system presented us with design, integration, and control problems that birds have solved elegantly over the course of evolution,” Floreano says. “This led us to not only come up with the most multimodal winged drone to date, but also to shed light on the energetic efficiency of jumping for take-off in both birds and drones.” The research has been&nbsp;<a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-08228-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">published in&nbsp;</a><em><a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-08228-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nature</a>.</em></p><p><strong>Better access for deliveries or disaster relief</strong></p><p>Previous robots designed to walk have been too heavy to jump, while robots designed to jump did not have feet suitable for walking. RAVEN’s unique design allows it to walk, traverse gaps in terrain, and even to jump up onto an elevated surface 26 centimeters high. The scientists also experimented with different modes of flight initiation, including standing and falling take-off, and they found that jumping into flight made the most efficient use of kinetic energy (speed) and potential energy (height gain). The LIS researchers teamed up with Auke Ijspeert of EPFL’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.epfl.ch/labs/biorob/">BioRobotics Lab</a>, and with Monica Daley's&nbsp;<a href="https://neuromechanics.bio.uci.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Neuromechanics Lab</a> at University of California, Irvine, to adapt bird biomechanics to robotic locomotion.</p><blockquote><p>These results represent just a first step towards a better understanding of design and control principles of multi-modal flying animals, and their translation into agile and energetically efficient drones.</p><footer>Prof. Dario Floreano, head, Laboratory of Intelligent Systems</footer></blockquote><p>In addition to elucidating the costs and benefits of powerful legs in birds that frequently transition between air and ground, the results offer a lightweight design for winged drones that can move on rough terrain and take off from restricted locations without human intervention. These capabilities enable the use of such drones in inspection, disaster mitigation, and delivery in confined areas. The EPFL team is already working on improved design and control of the legs to facilitate landing in a variety of environments.</p><p>"Avian wings are the equivalent of front legs in terrestrial quadrupeds, but little is known about the coordination of legs and wings in birds – not to mention drones. These results represent just a first step towards a better understanding of design and control principles of multimodal flying animals, and their translation into agile and energetically efficient drones," Floreano says.</p><hr><p><strong id="isPasted">References</strong></p><p>Shin, W.D., Phan, HV., Daley, M.A. et al. Fast ground-to-air transition with avian-inspired multifunctional legs. Nature 636, 86–91 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-08228-9</p>

RAVEN (Robotic Avian-inspired Vehicle for multiple ENvironments) © Alain Herzog CC BY SA

EPFL researchers have built a drone that can walk, hop, and jump into flight with the aid of birdlike legs, greatly expanding the range of potential environments accessible to unmanned aerial vehicles.

Bird-inspired drone can jump for take-off

From left to right, DTG3, PHOTON, PIVOT, REVOLUTION ROVs

A comprehensive overview designed to find you the ideal ROV for your next project. Make an informed purchase based on features, industry, and budget. 

The Complete Underwater ROV Buyers Guide 2025

Explore control options for Deep Trekker ROVs, including handheld, tablet, console, and BRIDGE Box for diverse environments and operator needs.

Flexible ROV Control Options: Tailored Solutions for Every Mission

<p id="isPasted">If you’re an RPAS pilot in Canada, you’re likely using NAV Drone (and if you’re not, you should be).</p><p>The mobile and web app from NAV Canada is <em>the</em> app to ensure your mission is approved. As the NAV CANADA <a href="https://www.navcanada.ca/en/flight-planning/drone-flight-planning/nav-drone-support.aspx" target="_blank">website explains</a>: “NAV Drone is the only app that lets you safely and legally request permission to fly a drone in airspace controlled by NAV CANADA. From the web or a mobile device, professional and recreational drone pilots and operators can easily see where they can and cannot fly with interactive maps and, when needed, submit requests to fly in controlled airspace.”</p><p>It’s a snap to use. The app lets you know where you can fly – and where you can’t – and could save you from both dangerous operations and potential fines. The app also notifies you if there are other drone operations underway in the vicinity of your operations, which is really useful for situational awareness.</p><p>Last week, at the <a href="https://www.aerialevolution.ca/" target="_blank">Aerial Evolution Association of Canada</a>‘s annual conference and exhibition, NAV CANADA offered an update on usage stats for the app – and revealed there are more enhancements on the horizon.</p><p><em>Below: Screengrabs from the NAV Drone mobile app, followed by a NAV CANADA explainer video</em></p><p><em><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzMxMzQ5NzgyOTAzLUlNR182MTM0LXNjYWxlZC5qcGcud2VicCIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="NAV Drone App"></em><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzMxMzQ5ODA0MTg3LUlNR182MTM1LmpwZy53ZWJwIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="NAV Drone App"></p><p><span contenteditable="false" draggable="true" class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FZR6ii6PX8s?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;enablejsapi=1&amp;origin=https://www.wevolver.com" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"><span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;">&nbsp;</span><span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;">&nbsp;</span><span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;">&nbsp;</span><span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;">&nbsp;</span><span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;">&nbsp;</span></iframe></span></p><h3 id="isPasted">By The Numbers</h3><p>NAV Drone has been operational now for several years. There was a lot of buzz in the industry when it was first released, but what has that translated to in terms of actual use? Here, NAV CANADA offered some numbers – which indicate the app has been widely embraced across the sector.</p><p>In 2024, NAV Drone had processed 53,000 permission requests as of early November, a growth rate of 26 per cent over the previous year. By automating this process – and avoiding manual approval (30 minutes per request at $130/hour), NAV CANADA says the app has saved more than $6.5M in Air Traffic Service (ATS) costs. What’s more, users seem to really like the app; it has excellent ratings on the App Store and Google Play.</p><p>And, of course, NAV Drone has greatly enhanced safety (and provided a huge amount of data) for NAV CANADA, the country’s privately run non-profit corporation that operates our civil air navigation system.</p><p>“Safety is the key reason it’s there. It’s all about keeping the airspace safe,” explained Alan Chapman, NAV CANADA’s director of RPAS Traffic Management.</p><p>As we head toward increased RPAS traffic, including regulations that will permit low-risk Beyond Visual Line of Sight flights in 2025, NAV CANADA has bold plans to enhance the offerings of the NAV Drone app. And that’s good news for both RPAS operators and also those operating traditional crewed aviation.</p><p>“Some big changes are coming to NAV Drone in 2025,” said&nbsp;Stewart Paveling,&nbsp;Product Family Leader, RPAS Traffic Management NAV CANADA during a panel discussion.</p><p>That includes a number of additional features to the app, including greater capabilities with RPAS Traffic Management (RTM), low-risk BVLOS and EVLOS flight approvals – <span data-teams="true" id="isPasted"><span dir="ltr">Including the ability to record flights undertaken with a Special Flight Operations Certificate through the app.</span></span></p><p>These are big changes, indicative of recognition this industry will continue to grow as well as NAV CANADA’s desire to safely help the industry expand as we head, ultimately, into the era of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM).</p><p>“NAV CANADA’s strategic direction positions us to take a leadership role to effect change across the air navigation system,” read a slide during its presentation. “To unlock not just our own potential, but also the potential of the industry to be more effective, more efficient, and more environmentally sustainable going forward.”</p><p>To further emphasise that, the slide continued – including the bold in the following paragraph:</p><p>“RTM facilitates the safe integration of RPAS, in a highly automated way, enabling <strong>growth</strong> of operations and <strong>expansion</strong> of use cases to capture the potential aviation and societal benefits.”</p><p>That was followed by a high-level road map indicating priorities for the coming years.</p><p><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzMxMzUwMjgxNjYxLU5BVi1DYW5hZGEtTkFWLURyb25lLXNjYWxlZC5qcGcud2VicCIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="RTM Phase 1 Progress Report"></p><p><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzMxMzUwMzAzNDYyLU5BVi1DQU5BREEtUlRNLVBoYXNlLVR3by1zY2FsZWQuanBnLndlYnAiLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="RTM Phase 2"></p><h3 id="isPasted">Next Steps</h3><p>Following the slides, there was a panel discussion about future plans, along with other suggestions on ways to improve the existing app. In addition to Alan Chapman and Stewart Aveling, the panel included Joanne Moon (Manager of RPAS Operations, NAV CANADA), Anne Sophie Ripple-Bouvier (Flight Safety Officer, Aerial Evolution Association of Canada) and Brian Fentiman (Project Manager, InDro Robotics/CEO BlueForce UAV Consulting, Inc.).</p><p>As the slide above notes, NAV Drone will keep pace with Transport Canada regulations – including the much anticipated changes that will allow low-risk BVLOS flights in 2025. The emphasis here is on pushing the envelope with a highly automated RTM system “to support safe, efficient and scalable BVLOS operations.”</p><p>For years, the sector has been eager to enable BVLOS flight without the need for a time-consuming Special Flight Operations Certificate. This obviously opens the door to a broad range of use-case scenarios, ranging from monitoring long-range assets like railroad tracks and pipelines through to large-scale mapping and other data acquisition.</p><p><span data-teams="true" id="isPasted"><span dir="ltr">For those operations that will still require an SFOC, NAV Canada revealed that the capability will be in place to allow flights to be recorded in the app. Though that will simplify the process of recording for operators, NAV Canada will not approve SFOCs; these applications will be reviewed by Transport Canada, which is responsible for approving SFOCs.</span></span></p><p>Later this year, Paveling added, there will be new map layers for restricted airspace. NAV Canada is also planing to improve the flight clipboard that comes with the system, redesigning it and making it easier to read. There will also be changes to the web-based support site, including a move away from PDF manuals “with better content that’s easier to consume and search.”</p><p>Outside of the app, NAV Canada said it is working to beef up its ability to detect drone incursions.</p><p>“We see reports of RPAS in control zones on approach paths,” said Joanne Moon of NAV Canada, adding that the corporation also obtains data from drone detection systems in place at airports. (InDro Robotics is the chief technology partner with the <a href="https://indrorobotics.ca/drone-pilot-fined-3021-for-drone-incursion-at-yow/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">drone detection system at YOW</a>. That data is shared with NAV CANADA and Transport Canada, among others.)</p><p>NAV Canada, she said, is looking at strengthening its capabilities and enforcement in this arena.</p><p>“(We’ve)&nbsp;Been working with industry partners, looking at things like drone detection, information sharing, emergency response, collaboratiion with airport authorities (as well as) our own air traffic services unit.”</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>Other Improvements&nbsp;</h3><p>There was also an opportunity during the panel to discuss other improvements that could be made to the NAV Drone app. And here, InDro’s Brian Fentiman offered some suggestions.</p><p>“One of the biggest things I find, more as a trainer than an operator, is the weak spot. The weak spot seems to be emergency procedures…With a flyaway,&nbsp;I would much prefer that there’s a single number. I’d like to see that phone number up front so it’s easy for people to find. In&nbsp;controlled airspace, you do get a phone number but it’s buried in a flight report…Sometimes you’ll get that phone number and the tower is not even open during those hours.”</p><p>It’s an important point – and one NAV Canada says it’s about to address.</p><p>“We are actively working on that right now…for an upcoming change to NAV Drone,” said Moon.</p><p>The other point Fentiman raised was with regards to conspicuity – meaning the electronic visibility of a drone within a broader RTM system.</p><p>“To enable BVLOS, we need conspicuity…whether it’s from the drone to other (RPAS) traffic or to commercial aviation,” he said.</p><p>That is something, said NAV CANADA, that is precisely on its roadmap. And the best way to fully get there, it was suggested, was to ensure that everyone in the industry uses the NAV Drone app.</p><p>“The more people who use the tool, the better situational awareness we have,” said Chapman.</p><p><em>Below: Brian Fentiman on the NAV CANADA panel at AEAC2024. Photo by Scott Simmie, InDro Robotics</em><em><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzMxMzUwMzY4NzU4LURTQ0YzNjY4LXNjYWxlZC5qcGcud2VicCIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Brian Fentiman"></em><br></p><h3 id="isPasted">InDro's Take</h3><p>The annual Aerial Evolution Association of Canada’s conference and exhibit is always a great event – and precisely due to learning opportunities like this one. Conversations with bodies like NAV CANADA and Transport Canada are tremendously important for the growth of the sector.</p><p>“We are fortunate in Canada to have a collaborative relationship with NAV CANADA and Transport Canada, as that’s not always the case between the industry and regulators or air traffic systems organizations,” says Philip Reece, Founder and CEO of InDro Robotics.</p><p>“We have seen a true evolution over the years in terms of this relationship – and from both sides. There’s a greater recognition now from the industry that safety has to remain paramount if the sector is going to continue its growth trajectory. And we’ve also seen a real willingness from NAV CANADA and Transport Canada to work with RPAS operators to safely continue growth. The NAV Drone app – and how widely it’s now used – is evidence of this collaboration from both sides. We look forward to enhanced capabilities on this already excellent tool.”</p><p>Want to learn more about the benefits of membership with the Aerial Evolution Association of Canada? You can find all the details <a href="https://www.aerialevolution.ca/become-a-member/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>

NAV Canada Update

Enhanced Capabilities Coming to NAV Drone App

operator piloting underwater ROV on Deep Trekker handheld controller

Discover the essential role of underwater positioning, and how remotely operated vehicles are advancing accuracy in underwater inspections and surveys.

Underwater Positioning 101: Navigating the Depths with ROVs

In this episode, we explore how AI can help aerial vehicles adjust to extreme turbulence in real-time and enhance safety/stability, even in challenging driving conditions.

Scared of Turbulence? AI -Might- Fix That

<section id="isPasted"><p>When it comes to inspections in the maritime environment, the status quo has long been marked by challenges that impede efficiency and incur significant costs. Routine vessel inspections, vital for maintaining operational integrity, optimizing fuel efficiency, and ensuring safety underwater, have traditionally relied on divers or drydocking methods, both of which are inherently costly and time-consuming.</p><p>The emergence of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) promises a more accessible and cost-effective alternative, yet their usability has been hindered by the perennial problem of navigation beneath vessels' hulls.</p><p>This article provides a comprehensive exploration of Dead Reckoning and the seminal work undertaken by Deep Trekker in mini ROV technology, with a particular emphasis on its potential to transform routine vessel inspections. The focus is on highlighting the implications for fuel efficiency, defect detection, and the cost-effective optimization of vessel maintenance.</p><p>This innovative breakthrough was achieved by Deep Trekker’s pioneering work on Dead Reckoning technology. These latest achievements have the potential to advance underwater vessel inspections by providing a practical solution to the long-standing challenge of underwater navigation.</p><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/kzewhs8e6cvu/3t6Sd0J8AmQJovMiFiUn2a/a62bd6232bd4c359e78a51496aabe8c7/Group_Glamor_Shot_crop1.jpg" alt="DESCRIPTION HERE" width="800" height="356" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></section><section><h2>Applications of Dead Reckoning with Underwater Robotics</h2><p>Beyond just hull inspections, Dead Reckoning finds widespread application in the field of underwater robotics, where autonomous vehicles and ROVs navigate complex underwater environments for various tasks, including oceanographic research, underwater surveys, pipeline maintenance, and search and recovery, to name a few.</p><p>In oceanographic research, ROVs equipped with Dead Reckoning systems can gather data on ocean currents, temperature gradients, water quality, and marine life distribution. By continuously updating their positions through Dead Reckoning calculations, ROVs can execute predefined survey patterns, enabling scientists to study ocean dynamics and ecosystem health.</p><p>Similarly, in underwater inspections and maintenance operations, ROVs rely on Dead Reckoning to navigate complex underwater structures, such as offshore oil rigs and submerged pipelines. By accurately estimating their positions relative to target objects, ROVs can perform tasks such as visual inspections, structural repairs, and equipment installations with minimal human intervention.</p><p>Dead Reckoning also plays a vital role in search and recovery (SAR) missions, where time-critical decisions depend on accurate positional information. Deep Trekker ROVs equipped with Dead Reckoning systems can systematically cover large search areas, narrowing down the search radius based on calculated positions and sensor feedback.</p><p>Overall, the integration of Dead Reckoning with underwater robotics facilitates more effective navigation in challenging underwater environments, enabling a wide range of scientific, commercial, industrial, and humanitarian applications.</p></section><section><h2>The Significance of Dead Reckoning in Maritime Inspections</h2><p>Dead Reckoning is a key component in maritime operations, especially in underwater inspections, as it provides a fundamental means of tracking the position and movement of inspection equipment in underwater environments, such as ROVs. This enables inspectors to navigate, track, and collect data accurately in challenging subaquatic settings.</p><p>When combined with other navigation aids and sensors, Dead Reckoning contributes to the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of maritime inspections, ensuring that they meet their intended objectives.</p><p>Here are some key points highlighting the significance of Dead Reckoning in maritime operations:</p><h3>Navigating Underwater Without GPS or Electronic Aids</h3><p>Dead Reckoning serves as a valuable alternative for navigation in GPS-denied environments like underwater regions where GPS signals may be obstructed or jammed. In underwater inspection scenarios, GPS signals are unavailable or unreliable due to the water's attenuation of satellite signals. Dead Reckoning can provide positional data when these systems are unavailable, allowing for underwater navigation without the assistance of GPS or optics in underwater environments.</p><p>By harnessing a combination of inertial sensors, gyroscopes, accelerometers, and sophisticated algorithms, Dead Reckoning enables ROV operators to maintain accurate spatial awareness and navigate with confidence, irrespective of GPS availability.</p><p>Operators can rely on Dead Reckoning’s positional data to guide the ROV along predetermined routes and conduct thorough inspections, all without the need for GPS or optics assistance.</p><h3>Maximizing Inspection Efficiency with Position Tracking</h3><p>Dead Reckoning enables inspectors to continuously estimate the position of Deep Trekker ROVs as they move underwater during inspections. This information is critical for ensuring that the inspection covers the intended area. When you know where you are, you know where you have already inspected, and you know where you need to go next. Up until now, there has not been an effective method for position tracking for underwater ROVs near ships.</p><p>By integrating various sensors and algorithms, Dead Reckoning provides real-time feedback on the ROV's location, allowing inspectors to maintain control. By employing Dead Reckoning technology, inspectors can monitor the ROV's position relative to predefined waypoints or planned trajectories, ensuring that the inspection remains on course and covers all targeted areas effectively.</p><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/kzewhs8e6cvu/76y0rV73H4Knpiq1h0jdGP/654a1b0426b093d3ada261e9c8bb45d7/gif-__ROV_MOVING_ALONG_HULL_OF_SHIP_WITH_TRACK_LINE_FOLLOWING.gif" alt="DESCRIPTION HERE" width="800" height="356" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></section><section><blockquote><p><em>"Real-time position tracking enables inspectors to adapt to changing underwater conditions or unexpected obstacles, allowing for dynamic adjustments to the inspection strategy as needed."</em></p></blockquote><p>By maintaining accurate spatial awareness throughout the inspection process, inspectors can assess underwater assets, identify potential issues, and make informed decisions to optimize maintenance and repair activities.</p><h3>Enhancing Underwater Safety</h3><p>When working underwater, safety is a primary concern, both for the ROV operators and any accompanying divers - and knowing the location of the ROV and divers is essential for safety.</p><p>Dead Reckoning helps inspectors ensure that ROVs or divers do not stray into hazardous areas, such as underwater structures, shipwrecks, or areas with strong currents. By utilizing Dead Reckoning for tracking the precise location of ROVs relative to underwater structures and currents, potential risks can be identified and avoided, minimizing the likelihood of accidents or damage to equipment.</p><h3>Optimizing Maintenance Strategies through Data Driven Insights</h3><p>Positional data obtained through Dead Reckoning improves the quality of inspection data, enabling inspectors to navigate ROVs to specific areas of interest. This targeted approach ensures that inspections focus on the most important areas, reducing the chance of missing essential details and improving data accuracy.</p><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/kzewhs8e6cvu/5sM6RDNMt3mhw0FFcZ4pfK/55f0e7b543ed7c1e8d6b733f221c3aa0/gif-__LOOKING_UP_CLOSE_AT_SHIP_WITH_DEAD_RECKONING_TRACK_LINE_ON_SCREEN.gif" alt="DESCRIPTION HERE" width="800" height="356" class="fr-fic fr-dii"><p>This includes data such as the location of underwater structures, defects, or anomalies, which must be precisely recorded for effective analysis. Higher quality data can lead to more informed decision-making, potentially reducing the need for follow-up inspections that consume additional fuel and resources.</p><p>The data collected by ROVs utilizing Dead Reckoning technology provides valuable insights that can optimize vessel maintenance strategies. By accurately documenting hull conditions and identifying areas requiring attention, ROVs allow maintenance teams to prioritize repairs, schedule cleaning operations, and implement proactive maintenance measures.</p><p>This data driven approach minimizes downtime, reduces operational costs, and extends the lifespan of vessels, ultimately raising the bar for operational efficiency and profitability.</p></section><section><h3>Fuel Efficiency and Resource Management</h3><p>Dead Reckoning assists in efficient resource management by helping inspectors monitor the progress of inspections. It helps ROVs identify the optimal times to clean the ship, to ensure that the hull remains clear of biofouling. Fuel efficiency in maritime operations can be dramatically improved by regular inspections and keeping the hull clear of marine growth - which can potentially reduce fuel efficiency by up to 40% by creating drag from the rough surface.</p><p>Minimizing fuel consumption not only saves money but also reduces the environmental impact of maritime operations. Dead Reckoning, by ensuring efficient maintenance schedules, contributes to sustainability efforts by reducing emissions associated with fuel burning.</p><p><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/kzewhs8e6cvu/5wlYcwl6ZPnGvJmvXR1PbL/23d532b66f95008b4391b9f560b8b9d5/Wed-Aug-7-12-56-13-2019-hi-res-date-removed.jpg" alt="Hull inspection biofouling" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></p></section><section><h2>Integration of Dead Reckoning with Advanced Sensor Technologies</h2><p>Dead Reckoning technology is often integrated with advanced sensor technologies to further enhance the capabilities of ROVs during vessel inspections. Deep Trekker’s innovative Sensor Fusion algorithms is a great example of this.</p><p>Sensors such as acoustic positioning systems, imaging sonars, and 3D mapping cameras complement Dead Reckoning by providing additional spatial awareness and environmental data.</p><p>This integration enables ROVs to navigate complex underwater environments more effectively and capture comprehensive inspection data for thorough analysis and decision-making.</p></section><section><h2>Future Prospects and Innovations in ROV-based Vessel Inspections</h2><p>Dead Reckoning is a fundamental navigation technique that ROVs and underwater vehicles use to estimate their position and navigate in GPS-denied or challenging environments. While it provides continuous position estimates, it's important to combine with other sensor data and correction methods to maintain accuracy, especially in dynamic underwater conditions.</p><p>In the maritime industry where efficiency, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness are critical to operations, Deep Trekker's Dead Reckoning technology stands as an example of this innovation's potential to reshape long standing industry practices and overcome the historical challenges of underwater navigation.</p><blockquote><p><em>"The ongoing advancements in ROV technology, coupled with the continued refinement of Dead Reckoning algorithms, point to an exciting future for vessel inspections."</em></p></blockquote><p>Innovations such as autonomous navigation, machine learning algorithms, and advanced sensor fusion techniques promise to further enhance the capabilities of ROVs for conducting comprehensive and efficient inspections.</p><p>As these technologies continue to evolve, ROVs equipped with Dead Reckoning will play an increasingly prominent role in maintaining vessel integrity and ensuring maritime safety in the years to come.</p></section><section><h2>The Deep Trekker Advantage</h2><p>Deep Trekker ROVs, engineered with rugged industrial-grade materials, are designed for versatility and durability. They offer immediate deployment and a comprehensive variety of advanced features. These ROVs are highly portable and quick to set up, featuring powerful LED lighting, a live 4K video feed, and up to 360-degree field of view, imaging sonar, and flexible sampling tools.</p><p>Our experienced team is at your service to offer expert guidance for a wide spectrum of applications, ranging from inspecting hull vessels to water tanks to conducting underwater assessments across various industries. We ensure tailor-made solutions that precisely match your specific requirements. When you're prepared to acquire your Deep Trekker ROV, don't hesitate to <a href="https://www.deeptrekker.com/contact-us" target="_blank">get in touch</a> with us for a <a href="https://www.deeptrekker.com/request-quote" target="_blank">personalized quote.</a></p></section>

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