SeaRobotics Corporation (SeaRobotics) reported on 31 July that it had delivered two complete autonomous 2.5 metre unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) to a government hydrographic service. These USVs, built by SeaRobotics, are complete hydrographic systems providing multibeam echo sounders (MBES), support sensors, a cast winch, deployment carts, and road trailers.

This contract reinforces the commitment government and commercial entities are making to take unmanned surface vehicles out of the laboratory and research environment and integrate them into the world of professional surveyors.

Efficiency and cost effectiveness of each application will be reviewed, and a profile of high-productivity, cost-reducing activities will be developed. Both traditional survey tasks and previously denied areas that remain unsurveyed will be evaluated, it is understood.