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:
FIBER TETHERED
Phoenix engineers possess expertise in the design and production of one additional type of underwater robot; fiber tethered vehicles. These vehicles distinguish themselves from the other classes because they carry all of the necessary sensors and equipment to make them fully autonomous yet retain a small fiber optic umbilical allowing “man-in-the-loop” control when required. Examples of situations where human operator control is necessary or operationally beneficial are those that require complex and timely decision making such as obstacle avoidance and identification.
The best example of a Phoenix fiber tethered vehicle is xBot. xBot, and its several derivative systems, are small battery powered UUVs utilizing the best of Phoenix’s undersea technology such as: pressure tolerant lithium ion batteries; pressure tolerant electronics; pressure tolerant LED lighting; modularity; and efficient packaging.
Phoenix’s xBot has gained notoriety performing dangerous and challenging missions that would be impossible or cost prohibitive for other underwater systems. xBot, is more of a design philosophy than it is a particular vehicle. As such, it can be repackaged to accommodate almost any set of customer requirements. One such derivative xBot vehicle is the modular cylindrical xBot hybrid UUV.
XBOT ROV
Dimensions: 22"L × 13"W × 14"H [56cm × 33cm × 35.5cm]
Weight in air: 110 lb [50kg]
Maximum Operating Depth: 20,000 fsw [6000m]
Tether: 500m vehicle deployed single mode fiber optic cable
Thrusters: 2x axial × 1x vertical
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