French firm launches hybrid ROV made for USV applications

French firm launches hybrid ROV made for USV applications

Technology

Paris-headquartered provider of smart remotely operated vehicle (ROV) assets and services Forssea Robotics has introduced its newborn ROV developed for uncrewed surface vessel (USV) integration and shallow water deployments.

Source: Forssea Robotics

According to Forssea Robotics, the ARGOS-X ROV has been optimized for offshore wind operation and maintenance applications with the ability to conduct faster surveys in the water column up to +2.5 knots current.

The ROV will be equipped with Forssea full autonomy software suite and compatible with Starlink real-time remote supervision.

The French company also noted that the ROV can be upgraded with a battery pack for deeper water survey in tetherless mode. The same platform will be used in the context of Forssea Robotics resident R&D programs to qualify critical technology bricks for long-term immersions and full autonomy.

As part of a collaboration with Exail that was established in 2020, the vehicle is set to be used onboard the Drix O-16.

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Forssea Robotics is leading a French consortium that had recently secured a €3 million grant to develop and qualify subsea resident patrol technologies.

Also comprising Ifremer, a research institute dedicated to the ocean, and FinX, a start-up specialized in bio-inspired underwater thrusters, the consortium aims to develop the strategic building blocks necessary for residence in order to have, in the medium term, a low-cost underwater vehicle capable of remaining at depth without a physical link with the surface.