KIGAM Acquires Aquabotix Hybrid Underwater Vehicle

UUV Aquabotix has sold a Hybrid underwater vehicle to the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM).

The government-supported geological marine institute will utilize the Hybrid and its technology for ongoing geoscience and energy research in the Korean waters, the company informed.

“We are excited to provide KIGAM with the means to achieve its research goals and uncover vital energy resources hidden under the sea, particularly given the organization’s deep history and dedication to protecting the earth,” said David Batista, CEO of Aquabotix. “We are eager to see how the functionality and brain power of our Hybrid vehicle benefits KIGAM in their quest to create a brighter future for both the Korean peninsula and the world.”

Aquabotix’s Hybrid vehicle can search wide areas using AUV mode (untethered) while conducting detailed inspections using ROV mode (tethered). Users can switch from AUV mode to ROV mode by attaching the tether to remotely control the vehicle’s six degrees of freedom of motion.

“The lightweight feel and ease-of-use of Aquabotix’s Hybrid vehicle will be instrumental in helping us fulfill our research and tasks over multiple missions,” said Jung Kyun Shin, KIGAM senior researcher. “Having the capacity to operate this vehicle in both untethered and tethered modes also allows us to properly explore underwater areas that have previously proved difficult to navigate. We look forward to leveraging the power of hybrid as we work to promote Korea’s sustainable future.”