Exploring the depths of the ocean is a difficult task for mankind. While there is technology that can tell us what lies beneath the surface of the water, much of Earth’s oceans remain a mystery.
So, efforts continue to be made to produce something more efficient and capable. And Terradepth, a startup founded by two former US SEALs, is trying to create an autonomous robot that can dive in deep waters and map the ocean.
Based in Austin, Texas, Terradepth’s goal is to create its fleet of underwater robots called AxV (Autonomous Hybrid Vehicles) to map the oceans and collect data. All while keeping costs down and reducing the need for human interaction. That is something the current method is striving for to achieve this goal.
The startup will be demonstrating its ambitious robot in an open-water environment in the summer of 2022. To refuel their project, it has received $8 million in funding from giant Seagate Technology.
Terradepth AxV: What was it like?
In terms of look and feel, the Terradepth AxV is a tubular vessel loaded with all the technology to collect ocean data, talk to other AxV units, and communicate with its Operations Center in Austin, Texas, via satellite.
Talking about the specifications, the Terradepth AxV has a length of 9.2 meters with a diameter of 1050mm and a weight of 3700 kg. Just to illustrate, it’s heavier than the 2022 Ford F350 XLT pickup which weighs around 3300 Kg.
It comes with a 1kW rechargeable battery system that provides a range of 1000 nautical miles per deployment. Currently, the Terradepth AxV can dive up to 1000 meters, but in the future, this autonomous robot ship is said to be able to reach a depth of 3000 meters. In addition, the robot ship is also able to survive at sea for up to 30 days.
On the software side, Terradepth’s custom-built vehicle software uses advanced machine learning and big data concepts for onboard analysis, data transmission, and to maintain data collection and processing efficiency.
“Our highly intelligent unmanned marine vehicle completely eliminates the need for humans at sea,” the company notes on its website. “The Terradepth AxV has a deep sea rating, is highly modular, and drives a large sensor payload.”
It offers strong support for third-party processing software and instruments connected to AxV. In the future when its AxV fleet is fully operational, Terradepth’s main plan is to offer a data-as-a-service option for others to gain access to marine data.
Terradepth AxV’s goal is to be able to launch an entire fleet of networked autonomous robots. Currently, Terradepth plans to demonstrate its technology in an open water environment in the summer of 2022.
