SeeByte deliver step change in linking underwater autonomy and communications
SeeByte, a global leader in developing smart software solutions for unmanned maritime systems, have successfully linked autonomy and communications to maximise the information that can be transferred in communications-limited scenarios.
SeeByte was awarded the work under the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) Autonomy in Challenging Environments Phase 1. The aim of the project, coined CARUSO, was to deliver a step change in autonomy systems, integrating communication and sensing performance directly into the autonomy problem.
The need for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV’s) to operate in highly complex, variable, and comms-limited environments requires effective autonomy and high performance underwater communications standards. Developing behaviours that can exploit an increased level of real-time environmental awareness will allow robots to maximise their in-field persistence and operational effectiveness.
Strengthening the bond between human and machine, robots will optimise the use of underwater communications, prioritising what information to report to command and control to support important decision making.
"CARUSO demonstrated that the integration of communications performance directly into the autonomy problem is key for the next generation of marine autonomy: robots can make decisions to maximise operator awareness and to ensure quick human-robot re-synchronisation when communications falter." said Andrea Munafo, Engineering Manager at SeeByte.
SeeByte’s Commercial Manager, Alastair Cormack added, “this project has enabled SeeByte to extend its autonomy capability; integrating CARUSO technology with our proven mission-level autonomy software, Neptune, has opened up new opportunities for our technology and commercial applications”.
More info: www.seebyte.com
HydroSurv received investment from Katapult Ocean
HydroSurv Unmanned Survey (UK) Ltd is one out of 10 international ocean startups that have received investment from Katapult Ocean this autumn. Katapult Ocean invests in and supports startups with a positive impact on our ocean. In the selection process Katapult Ocean has screened and interviewed a pipeline with more than 1,500 startups.
“As a company, we’re delighted that Katapult Ocean has decided to invest in HydroSurv - its the best demonstration that our vision to offer carbon neutral hydrographic and environmental surveys by 2025 using our unmanned survey vessels is resonating with international investors, who recognise that a sustainable future for our oceans can also be a profitable one.” said David Hull, CEO HydroSurv. “We really believe in the vision of HydroSurv of making economic hydrographic and environmental surveys and analytics as a great progress towards unlocking and understanding the potential of our oceans.” , said Jonas Skattum Svegaarden, CEO Katapult Ocean.
The next three months HydroSurv Unmanned Survey (UK) Ltd will take part in a fully digital accelerator program, designed to help startups grow faster and better. The program brings together founders from six different countries and across the ocean industry sectors.
"We are excited to see the synergies develop between the founders and the rest of our portfolio”, said Jonas Skattum Svegaarden, CEO of Katapult Ocean. “It is also encouraging to see that COVID-19 has not stopped passionate founders. There is no shortage of talent and innovation in the ocean impact space”
The 10 ocean startups that received investment from Katapult Ocean this autumn are:
- Aquammodate (Sweden): Aquammodate - Accommodating the world’s need for clean water
- Desolenator (UK/Netherlands): Desolenator is fighting our global water crisis through 100% solar ocean-safe desalination
- ecoSpears (US): ecoSpears is a cleantech remediation company that is ushering in the carbonless future of environmental cleanup
- Fortuna Cools (US): Fortuna makes coolers from coconuts: designed to last years, not millennia
- Hooked (Sweden): Hooked leads the transition to a more harmless seafood consumption by offering tasty plant-based seafood that is good for the planet and good for your health
- HydroSurv (UK): HydroSurv delivers economic, low-impact hydrographic and environmental surveying and interpretive analytics using our advanced Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs)
- Matter (UK): Matter is an innovation company, pioneering plastic capture for the good of the planet
- Ocean Rainforest (Faroe Islands): Ocean Rainforest grows premium quality seaweed for the food, feed and health market
- Paralenz (Denmark): Paralenz cameras empower divers to easily capture and share both their underwater footage and ocean data with the world and dedicated scientific communities
- SolarDuck (Netherland): SolarDuck transforms the world with affordable offshore floating solar energy
About Katapult Ocean
Katapult Ocean invests in and supports startups with a positive impact on our ocean. Since 2018, Katapult Ocean has made 32 investments in exciting ocean impact companies from all over the world (17 countries, 4 continents). The companies participate in a 3-month long accelerator program to support growth and impact. A global network of more than 100 mentors and partners support the companies together with a team based in Oslo, Norway. To learn about the companies Katapult Ocean has invested in, visit the website.
About HydroSurv
HydroSurv is an innovative constructor and operator of Unmanned Surface Vehicles for hydrographic, geophysical and environmental survey. As a company, their mission is to disrupt the market for waterborne data acquisition and processing across a range of industries including utilities, ports and harbours, hydrography and the renewable energy sector replacing the work of conventional ships with unmanned vessels operated from land-based operations centres.
Chief Executive of National Oceanography Centre receives CBE
The National Oceanography Centre’s Chief Executive, Prof Ed Hill, has been awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2020 list, published today, in recognition of his services to ocean and environmental sciences. Ed is a world-leading authority on ocean science and is dedicated to raising awareness of ocean issues and advancing the science and technology to understand our seas. Having been part of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) for over 20 years, he has recently led the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) into an independent charity, using its freedom and scientific expertise to drive forward greater innovation and influence. Commenting, Ed Hill, said, “I am delighted and honoured to receive this award, which I feel is also recognition of the tremendous journey the National Oceanography Centre has been taking as a force for good all over the world. I am grateful for the help and support of my family, friends and colleagues throughout my career and remain dedicated to raising the profile of the vital role the ocean plays in our world. The importance of the ocean and the science needed to understand it has moved centre stage, as awareness has grown of its crucial role for human wellbeing and prosperity, and that this depends on the heath of marine ecosystems under increasing threat. I believe that, enabled by new technologies, oceanography in the 21st century is undergoing a radical transformation into truly big science and now needs the global infrastructure of a full ocean observing system to continually monitor and make sense of the world’s rapidly changing seas.” Born in the city of Coventry, about as far from the sea possible in Britain, Ed was brought up in South Australia right by the coast and returned to the UK at nearly 8 years old on a four-week passage by ship to Southampton, where he believes the seeds were sown for his passion for the ocean. Ed spent many years as a leading researcher and chief scientist undertaking over 20 expeditions at sea studying water circulation on continental shelves. He has served on numerous national and international advisory bodies and is a key source of expertise to the UK government. He was appointed OBE in 2010 for services to environmental sciences. NOC Board of Trustees Chairman, John Hirst CBE, commented “It is great to see Ed’s contribution recognised in this way, and we feel very lucky to have him leading NOC. His passion and dedication are unquestionable, and he has been a key figurehead in the recent advances at NOC.” The National Oceanography Centre is a world leading organisation providing the UK’s national capability in large scale oceanographic sciences. The ocean impacts our climate; energy sources; food; technology and wellbeing. The NOC’s mission is to make sense of changing seas, so humankind can thrive.
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