Robotic

To advance the imagery, accuracy and data collection for our clients – the Boxfish ROV is a key piece of kit in our artillery. Optimum health and safety, optimum data collection and visuals – so our clients can plan with precision.

Applications

Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) are versatile tools that can be applied in a wide range of industries and applications. Some of the different areas where ROVs can be used include:

  1. Offshore Oil and Gas Industry:
    1. ROVs are commonly used for subsea inspections, maintenance, and repair (IMR) of oil and gas infrastructure, such as pipelines, platforms, and subsea wells.
    2. They are also used for drilling support, pipeline installation, and asset integrity monitoring in offshore oil and gas fields. 
  1. Marine Science and Research:
    1. ROVs are valuable tools for marine researchers and scientists to explore and study underwater ecosystems, marine life, and geological features.
    2. They are used for oceanographic research, underwater archaeology, coral reef surveys, and deep-sea exploration.
  1. Underwater Construction and Engineering:
    1. ROVs are used in underwater construction projects, such as laying cables, installing structures, and conducting underwater welding or cutting operations.
    2. They assist in conducting underwater inspections, surveys, and mapping for construction and engineering projects.
  1. Search and Rescue Operations:
    1. ROVs are deployed in search and rescue missions to locate and retrieve objects or individuals submerged underwater, such as sunken vessels, wreckage, or missing persons.
    2. They provide valuable assistance to divers and rescue teams in challenging underwater environments.
  1. Environmental Monitoring and Protection:
    1. ROVs are used for environmental monitoring and protection purposes, such as assessing pollution levels, monitoring marine habitats, and conducting underwater clean-up operations.
    2. They help in detecting and mitigating environmental hazards in oceans, rivers, lakes, and other water bodies.
  1. Military and Defence Applications:
    1. ROVs play a crucial role in military and defence operations for tasks such as mine countermeasures, underwater surveillance, and reconnaissance.
    2. They are used by naval forces for underwater mine detection, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), and underwater reconnaissance missions.
  1. Hydrographic Surveying and Mapping:
    1. ROVs are utilised in hydrographic surveying for mapping underwater terrain, seabed topography, and geological features.
    2. They assist in collecting bathymetric data, sonar imaging, and seabed sampling for marine cartography and navigation purposes.
  1. Aquaculture and Fisheries:
    1. ROVs are employed in aquaculture operations for monitoring fish farms, inspecting underwater cages, and assessing fish health and welfare.
    2. They support fisheries management by conducting stock assessments, habitat surveys, and underwater surveillance of fishing grounds.

These are just a few of the many areas where ROVs can be applied, showcasing their versatility and utility in diverse industries and underwater activities.

Water Types

ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles) are incredibly versatile and can be used in various types of water bodies, including:

  1. Ocean: ROVs are commonly used in deep-sea exploration, research, and industrial applications, such as offshore oil and gas operations.
  2. Lakes and Reservoirs: ROVs can be employed for underwater inspections, environmental monitoring, and research in freshwater bodies.
  3. Rivers and Streams: While the currents can pose challenges, ROVs are still used for tasks like surveying, mapping, and studying aquatic life.
  4. Ponds and Wetlands: ROVs can navigate through shallow waters to conduct surveys, sample collection, and environmental assessments.
  5. Under Ice: Specialised ROVs equipped with ice-breaking capabilities are used for exploration and research in polar regions, such as Antarctica and the Arctic.
  6. Underground Aquifers: In some cases, ROVs are utilised for inspecting and monitoring underground water sources, particularly in caves and karst formations.

In essence, ROVs are adaptable tools designed to operate in various aquatic environments, providing valuable insights and assistance across a range of industries and scientific disciplines.

Operators are to ensure that a pre-site inspection is done, and water flow levels are accessed prior to conducting ROV operations.

Underwater navigation (USBL)

USBL is a widely used tracking system for underwater. The system consists of a transceiver mounted on the vessel, and a transponder mounted on Boxfish ROV. Using the USBL, the position of the ROV is found relative to the vessel’s GPS coordinates. The USBL may also act as a wireless communications link for piloting the ROV back if the tether were ever to fail. We can add a Blueprint Subsea X150 USBL that can track the ROV up to 1,000m depth.

Doppler Velocity Log (DVL)

We offer the option of adding a number of DVL options to the ROV. DVL is an acoustic sensor that estimates velocity relative to the sea bottom. Because of the acoustic nature of this technology, it operates well in low visibility. The estimated velocities are converted into an XYZ coordinate system relative to the sea bottom.

Multibeam Imaging Sonar

Boxfish ROV has the option of integrating the range of Blueprint Subsea Oculus dual-frequency sonars and displaying them on the console’s main screen. These sonars have 512 beams and operate at various frequencies between 750 kHz and 2.1 MHz with 60 degree to 130 degree fields of view. Imaging sonars are great for navigation while moving and for locating stationary or moving objects. Distances to 120m and resolution down to 2.5mm are possible depending on frequency used.

Profiling Sonar

Profiling sonars are for ultra-high resolution underwater 3D reconstruction and profiling for site surveying or rendering. They operate similar to a line scanner that requires slow and controllable movements to capture the data. The high manoeuvrability and the active stabilisation of the Boxfish ROV are necessary to get reliable and accurate 3D reconstructions with this technology.

Laser Scalers

It is often required to do simple length measurements underwater for understanding the scale of the object in view. Boxfish Research can add laser scalers to the ROV that facilitate simple length measurements. Photogrammetry is another application that can take advantage of laser scalers. The 3D model built by photogrammetry techniques does not have the correct scale. Having the known length of laser scalars helps to correctly scale 3D models reconstructed using photogrammetry. Boxfish offers options of two or four laser scalers as well as external modules that can be coupled with additional cameras.

Photogrammetry

Photogrammetry is the process of making a 3D model of an environment using a single camera. During the process, the structure of the scene and the position of the ROV are found simultaneously. Boxfish ROV provides high quality and stabilised videos with homogeneous lighting that are very suitable to be used for photogrammetry purposes.

Manipulator / Grabber

The exceptional manoeuvrability of Boxfish ROV enables the pilot to carry out a wide range of operations with even the most basic grabber. More sophisticated grabbers add additional functionality for more complex tasks.

Rotary Cleaning Brush

It is often necessary to remove marine growth and dirt from submerged assets to facilitate inspection and testing tasks. The Boxfish ROV rotary cleaning brush enables operators to clean a range of surface materials, including concrete and metal.

Fluorometer

Adding a fluorometer to a Boxfish ROV provides a portable and efficient method to measure water quality, pollution, and the health of marine environments. We can integrate your vehicle with a Turner Designs C3™ Submersible Fluorometer that has sensors for a range of fluorescent materials.

Environmental Sensors

Boxfish ROVs support a large payload allowing submarine volcanologists and scientists to add environmental sensors. Available sensors include coupled CTD and pCO2 sensors for measuring temperature, pH, conductivity, and partial pressure of CO2 in water columns.

External 20x Zoom Camera

The Boxfish external 20x zoom camera offers a distinctive solution for scientists, subsea explorers, and filmmakers. It combines exceptional 4K imaging capabilities with user-friendly controls and a highly durable design.

Field Fast Charger

Recharge the ROV in the field in as fast as 45 minutes with the Boxfish 40/60A AC Charger. This field fast charger is enclosed in a waterproof IP67 case, and allow to recharge the ROV if needed while you are moving between sites.

If you would like to learn more about our capabilities in this area, please get in touch.