OceanServer Technology has received orders for six new Iver autonomous underwater vehicle (AUVs) from three different customers.

The systems are expected to be delivered by the end of January 2015. Four systems will be delivered to YSI/Xylem for use in water quality application utilising the YSI Sonde 6-Series Sensors.

The second customer, John’s Hopkins University, recently took delivery of their first Iver3-580 system for research purposes.

Johns Hopkins currently operates two Iver2 AUVs. The final system was delivered to Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh Scotland. This system was awarded as part of the EDU-RAS (The Edinburgh Alliance in Robotics and Autonomous Systems) for research equipment.

The Iver3-580 system is expected to be used for survey purposes using the Klein 3500 with both side scan sonar and bathy capability. The Iver platform will also act as a research platform for sensing, communications and mobile computing for reliable execution of seabed and other surveys.

OceanServer continues to lead the AUV industry in driving costs lower while offering world class sonar and sensor solutions from industry leaders in the marine industry. The flexible vehicle design also allows for a wide range of water quality sensors, remote helm applications and in-water communications.

The Iver Platform
All Iver AUV models come standard with OceanServer’s VectorMap Mission Planning and Data Presentation tool, which provides geo-registered data files that can be easily exported to other software analysis tools. This unique AUV design has enabled OceanServer to carve out a very strong position in the research space for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles, sensors and behavioural studies.

The VectorMap programme can input NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) or any geo-referenced charts, maps or photo images, allowing the operator to intuitively develop AUV missions using simple point-and-click navigation.

The base vehicle, with a starting price at just over $50,000 USD, gives university, government and commercial users an affordable base-platform for sensor development or survey applications in water quality, sub-surface security and general research.