Unmanned Systems Technology 028 | ecoSUB Robotics AUVs I ECUs focus I Space vehicles insight I AMZ Driverless gotthard I InterDrone 2019 report I ATI WAM 167-BB I Video systems focus I Aerdron HL4 Herculift

ecoSUB Robotics AUVs | Dossier programme but became obsolete. The autopilot is a bespoke system whose main function is to implement a mission according to a user-constructed plan with ‘nanny’ overwatch of critical systems. It has a library of pre- programmed behaviours developed from scratch by Planet Ocean, initially with guidance from the NOC. Once the mission is loaded, the system is completely autonomous, Sloane says. However, the vehicle can be re-tasked via wi-fi or Iridium when on the surface. Wi-fi is used at up to about 200 m, and Iridium beyond that, over the horizon or through the acoustic modems while submerged. Newcastle University’s nano-modem provides a range of around 3 km. It operates in the 24-32 kHz band and provides a data rate of 463 bit/s through water. Command, Control and Communications (C3) for individual vehicles or shoals of them is handled through ecoSUB Robotics’ own GUI. It contains offline maps and charts, and allows operators to perform pre- launch checks and diagnostics, mission planning and programming, view data in real time, and guide the recovery boat to the AUV’s location. Sloane emphasises that the ecoSUBs are fully autonomous out of the box and don’t require users to develop their own autopilot control systems, sensor interfaces or nanny safety systems. He regards this as the distinction between UUVs and true AUVs. “The AUVs are supplied with a growing suite of behaviours with which users can simply construct a mission using the GUI,” he says. Operators can also connect with ecoSUB AUVs anywhere in the world through the optional Hermes self- contained C3 system. Hermes combines various comms systems including wi-fi, Iridium, 3G/4G, RS-232 and acoustic. One benefit of Hermes is that it The AUVs are supplied with a growing suite of behaviours with which users can simply construct a mission via the graphic interface