A method for controlling an underwater vehicle moving along a travel trajectory is disclosed. The movement of the underwater vehicle is dependent on a vessel physically connected thereto. The method is performed by a processor and comprises the steps of: obtaining a topography of an underwater region where the underwater vehicle travels; obtaining a predicted trajectory of the underwater vehicle; deriving a relationship between the predicted trajectory of the underwater vehicle and a seafloor represented by the topography of the underwater region; and controlling the underwater vehicle based on the determined relationship; wherein the topography of the underwater region is linkable to a coordinate system of the travel trajectory of the underwater vehicle. Unlocking insights from Geo-Data, the present invention further relates to improvements in sustainability and environmental developments: together we create a safe and liveable world.

A method for controlling an underwater vehicle moving along a travel trajectory is disclosed. The movement of the underwater vehicle is dependent on a vessel physically connected thereto. The method is performed by a processor and comprises the steps of: obtaining a topography of an underwater region where the underwater vehicle travels; obtaining a predicted trajectory of the underwater vehicle; deriving a relationship between the predicted trajectory of the underwater vehicle and a seafloor represented by the topography of the underwater region; and controlling the underwater vehicle based on the determined relationship; wherein the topography of the underwater region is linkable to a coordinate system of the travel trajectory of the underwater vehicle. Unlocking insights from Geo-Data, the present invention further relates to improvements in sustainability and environmental developments: together we create a safe and liveable world.

A method for assisting the guidance of a surface vessel intended to tow an underwater device, the method includes a) discretizing the geographical sector around the surface vessel into a plurality of zones, with each zone being classified according to a degree of accessibility from among a set of degrees of accessibility; b) computing a set of candidate trajectories of the surface vessel in the geographical sector, with each candidate trajectory corresponding to a different gyration rate from the current position of the surface vessel; c) classifying each candidate trajectory as a function of the degree of accessibility of the zone of the geographical sector traversed by the possible trajectory, and as a function of the feasibility of one or more predefined actions on the candidate trajectory; d) generating a display of the zones and of the candidate trajectories on a human-machine interface, as a function of their classification and/or a transmission of instructions relating to the actions.

A method for assisting the guidance of a surface vessel intended to tow an underwater device, the method includes a) discretizing the geographical sector around the surface vessel into a plurality of zones, with each zone being classified according to a degree of accessibility from among a set of degrees of accessibility; b) computing a set of candidate trajectories of the surface vessel in the geographical sector, with each candidate trajectory corresponding to a different gyration rate from the current position of the surface vessel; c) classifying each candidate trajectory as a function of the degree of accessibility of the zone of the geographical sector traversed by the possible trajectory, and as a function of the feasibility of one or more predefined actions on the candidate trajectory; d) generating a display of the zones and of the candidate trajectories on a human-machine interface, as a function of their classification and/or a transmission of instructions relating to the actions.

An underwater vehicle system includes: a first underwater vehicle configured to perform work in water while moving in a predetermined proceeding direction; and a second underwater vehicle configured to replace the first underwater vehicle and perform work in water. When the second underwater vehicle replaces the first underwater vehicle, the second underwater vehicle approaches the first underwater vehicle based on a signal transmitted from the first underwater vehicle.

An underwater vehicle system includes: a first underwater vehicle configured to perform work in water while moving in a predetermined proceeding direction; and a second underwater vehicle configured to replace the first underwater vehicle and perform work in water. When the second underwater vehicle replaces the first underwater vehicle, the second underwater vehicle approaches the first underwater vehicle based on a signal transmitted from the first underwater vehicle.

An underwater mobile inspection apparatus capable of inspecting an inspection object on a seafloor while cruising; including a cruising body configured to submerge under-water and cruise along the inspection object so as to not come into contact with the inspection object, a first movable arm provided on the cruising-body, and an inspection tool unit provided on the first movable arm and including at least one of an image-capturing camera for use in visually inspecting the inspection object and a device configured to inspect a wall thickness of the inspection object by using an ultrasonic wave. A controller is configured to, when the cruising-body cruises along the inspection object so as to not come into contact with the inspection object, operate the first movable arm to move the inspection tool unit, such that a positional relationship of the inspection tool unit with the inspection object becomes a predetermined target positional relationship.

Systems and methods for adding buoyancy to an object are described herein. A buoyant material may be enclosed inside a flexible container, heated, and inserted into a free flooded cavity inside the object. The flexible container may then be formed to the shape of the cavity. After the flexible container is formed to the shape of the cavity, the flexible container may be cooled. The flexible container may hold a pre-determined amount of the syntactic material that provides a fixed amount of buoyancy. According to another aspect, systems and methods for packing a vehicle are described herein. In some embodiments, a buoyant material may be molded into the shape of a hull of a vehicle, and a plurality of cutouts may be extracted from the buoyant material which are specifically designed to incorporate one or more instruments.

Systems and methods for adding buoyancy to an object are described herein. A buoyant material may be enclosed inside a flexible container, heated, and inserted into a free flooded cavity inside the object. The flexible container may then be formed to the shape of the cavity. After the flexible container is formed to the shape of the cavity, the flexible container may be cooled. The flexible container may hold a pre-determined amount of the syntactic material that provides a fixed amount of buoyancy. According to another aspect, systems and methods for packing a vehicle are described herein. In some embodiments, a buoyant material may be molded into the shape of a hull of a vehicle, and a plurality of cutouts may be extracted from the buoyant material which are specifically designed to incorporate one or more instruments.

Systems and methods are disclosed herein for a pressure tolerant energy system. The pressure tolerant energy system may comprise a pressure tolerant cavity and an energy system enclosed in the pressure tolerant cavity configured to provide electrical power to the vehicle. The energy system may include one or more battery cells and a pressure tolerant, programmable management circuit. The pressure tolerant cavity may be filled with an electrically-inert liquid, such as mineral oil. In some embodiments, the electrically-inert liquid may be kept at a positive pressure relative to a pressure external to the pressure tolerant cavity. The energy system may further comprise a pressure venting system configured to maintain the pressure inside the pressure tolerant cavity within a range of pressures. The pressure tolerant cavity may be sealed to prevent water ingress.