Revolutionary Deep-Water Trials of the ecoSUBm25-Science AUV

The ecoSUBm25-Science Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), developed by ecoSUB Robotics, has successfully executed a spiral maneuver to conduct vertical profiling of the water column, reaching depths of 2,000 meters and returning safely.

Innovative Technology in Action

This remarkable vertical profiling was achieved during a recent deep-water testing campaign in Madeira. The ecoSUBm25-Science AUV represents a groundbreaking advancement in underwater technology, built on the cost-effective ecoSUBm series platform, which weighs a mere 12 kilograms and is rated for depths up to 2,500 meters.

Accessibility for Marine Research

Unlike traditional deep-rated AUV technologies, which frequently enough come with hefty price tags in the millions, the ecoSUB platform is available for tens of thousands, considerably enhancing access to autonomous ocean data collection for marine scientists and other stakeholders.

Advanced Sensor Capabilities

The ecoSUBm25-Science AUV was outfitted with a Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth (CTD) sensor, along with a Chelsea Technologies TriLux sensor, enabling it to measure key parameters such as conductivity, temperature, chlorophyll levels, turbidity, and phycoerythrin. Additionally, the m25 platform can accommodate sensors for measuring dissolved oxygen, colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM), pH levels, and oil in water, as well as navigation tools like altimeters and Doppler Velocity Logs (DVL), along with acoustic communication systems for underwater data transmission.

Prosperous Mission Overview

The mission,which took place on July 30,2024,involved launching and recovering the AUV from Observatoio 1,a high-speed RIB research vessel generously provided by the Oceanic Observatory of Madeira,which also offered essential workshop and vessel support during the trials.

A Milestone in AUV technology

This mission is notable as it marks a world-first for micro-AUV systems, achieving a 2,000-meter deployment and demonstrating the practical submission of technology in ocean data collection.

Precision Navigation and Mission Efficiency

during the mission, the onboard navigation system maintained a separation of only 125 meters between the launch and recovery points, showcasing the AUV’s capability for precise vertical descent and ascent. The total duration of the mission was 1 hour and 40 minutes, with a maximum recorded depth of 2,002 meters.