ZeroUSV has achieved what it describes as a world first by autonomously deploying Oshen C-Star surface drones from its Oceanus12 uncrewed surface vessel (USV) during a UK-backed maritime autonomy demonstration.
The demonstration formed part of an ongoing UK Defence Innovation (UKDI)-backed programme led by ZeroUSV, in partnership with Oshen and MarineAI.
Centred on ZeroUSV’s Oceanus12 USV, the trial integrated Oshen’s C-Star autonomous surface vehicle with MarineAI’s GuardianAI autonomy software.
The demonstration was designed to show how multiple autonomous platforms can be coordinated and deployed as part of a wider mission.
The lightweight, sail- and solar-powered C-Star was configured to collect acoustic data during the trial. The platform can also carry sensors for environmental monitoring, defence operations and the monitoring of critical underwater infrastructure.
MarineAI’s Guardian autonomy suite provides navigation and decision-making capabilities, allowing autonomous platforms to plan, coordinate and execute missions with limited operator input while integrating multiple payloads.
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Oceanus12 has been developed as a modular autonomous platform capable of deploying different payloads and being rapidly reconfigured for a range of missions.
The trial demonstrated how the Oceanus class can deploy and support multiple autonomous assets, extending operational reach while reducing the requirement for personnel to operate in hazardous maritime environments. The USV can also provide operators with information on the location, status and performance of deployed assets where conventional communications are unavailable, unreliable or deliberately denied.
The next phase will see Oceanus12 autonomously deploy four C-Star vehicles simultaneously, increasing the scale of the distributed autonomous operation.
Matthew Ratsey, Managing Director of ZeroUSV, said: “Autonomous operations are becoming increasingly complex, requiring multiple systems to work together seamlessly. Oceanus12 enables operators to deploy autonomous assets where they are needed, while also providing greater confidence in their location, status and performance in situations where traditional communications may not be available.
“Demonstrating the launching of maritime robots is another important step towards delivering truly scalable autonomous capability for defence and security customers. It shows how a single autonomous platform can support multiple operational requirements while reducing risk to personnel and increasing operational flexibility.”
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Anahita Laverack, CEO of Oshen, stated: “Having robots launch robots means we can safely, and rapidly, deploy sensing capabilities into tactile locations at short notice, without putting crews in harm’s way.
“That not only improves safety, but also expands our ability to collect valuable maritime and underwater data from places that have traditionally been difficult or dangerous to access. Successfully launching two C-Star vehicles is an exciting milestone, but this is the tip of the iceberg. We’re now looking forward to demonstrating the deployment of 100’s of autonomous systems operating together.”
For more information:
ZeroUSV – https://www.zerousv.com/
