Underwater Robotics

Phoenix develops underwater robotics for applications where commercial systems don’t meet the particular mission requirements.  Examples of unusual and challenging requirements previously overcome by Phoenix engineers include venturing to 6,000m depth, inspecting an area of high risk of loss, and making an underwater rendezvous.

Examples of different types of Underwater Robotics Phoenix engineers have designed and built are:

AUTONOMOUS UNDERWATER VEHICLES, AUV & UNMANNED UNDERWATER VEHICLES, UUVs

Autonomously operated vehicles operate via complex mission programs and do not require in-situ human operator control. This category of underwater vehicle requires a complex arrangement of on-board sensors and computer controllers and has recently become quite advanced. Currently, these vehicles are best suited for routine tasks like large area surveys.

Phoenix engineering AUV design experience includes designing the LExUS system for the US Navy’s Office of Naval Research (ONR). LExUS is a modular large diameter test platform capable of accepting a variety of payloads and utilizing Phoenix’s pressure tolerant lithium ion batteries and pressure tolerant electronics. Phoenix’s operationally minded engineering team used their experience to develop the payload section of LExUS to be easily accessible, quickly reconfigurable, and easily maintained.

LEXUS AUV

Phoenix designed large diameter autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). This vehicle was designed to be a modular test platform for various payloads and missions and utilizes Phoenix’s pressure tolerant lithium batteries and electronics.

HYBRID UUV

Phoenix designed modular hybrid UUV. This vehicle was capable of performing long, autonomous transits as well as operator controlled flying. The vehicle was developed as a standardized truck that was capable of carrying various payload modules; deployable inspection module shown.

ULTRACAP UUV

An example of a Phoenix developed UUV is the Super Capacitor Technology Demonstration Vehicle. This vehicle was designed and built as an internally funded research and development (R&D) project exploring the subsea applicability of various new technologies.

Phoenix designed proof of concept vehicle exhibiting, amongst other things, Super Capacitors as its main (onboard) power source, contactless charging, and contactless data transmission.