OceanServer Technology, a leader in commercial AUVs, announced today that Arizona State has ordered a base vehicle for research purposes. The Iver2 vehicle includes a second CPU that enables users a quick path to modify the vehicle for a specific scientific objective or additional sensor. The vehicle will be deployed in the coming months and used as a test platform for algorithmic design and implementation for field experimentation. Fieldwork will include coral reef characterisation in the Bahamas, home to one of the world’s longest barrier reefs. In addition, the vehicle provides a stable platform for ASU to continue research into unmanned systems and the expanding role of marine robots.
The Iver2 is a low-cost, simple to operate AUV system that incorporates a truly ‘open’ software architecture and defined hardware interfaces. This unique design has enabled OceanServer to carve out a very strong position in the university space for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles. Common payloads include GPS navigation, CTD probe, altimeter, side scan sonar, and several water quality sensors.
Each system includes the OceanServer VectorMap mission planning and data presentation tool, which provides geo-registered data files that can be easily exported to other software analysis tools. The VectorMap program can input any geo-referenced chart, map or photo image, allowing the operator to intuitively develop missions using simple point-and-click navigation.
The base vehicle, with a starting price at just over $50,000, gives university, government and commercial users an affordable base-platform for survey applications in water quality, hydrography, security and general research.