Issue 39 Unmanned Systems Technology August/September 2021 Maritime Robotics Mariner l Simulation tools focus l MRS MR-10 and MR-20 l UAVs insight l HFE International GenPod l Exotec Skypod l Autopilots focus l Aquaai Mazu

30 Dossier | Maritime Robotics Mariner Since the origin of the concept, the Mariner’s design has evolved to provide more space for payloads and a larger moon pool that can handle the deployment of larger sensors. Many tweaks have also been incorporated into the design to make using the vessel faster, easier and more secure. The hull itself is built to Maritime Robotics’ specifications by Polar Circle, while Maritime Robotics designs and builds the interior, payload integration details and superstructure. It relies on SolidWorks as its main CAD tool, along with equipment for cutting and welding polyethylene, aluminium and stainless steel for manufacture. The company also integrates all the electronics and sensors in-house. The Mariner’s design is now stable, although small adaptations are in progress to enable custom hardware and sensors to be fitted. The biggest milestones in the test programme, which took place largely in the Trondheim Fjord and in cooperation with partners, was the achievement of a stable and functional USV system. Hovstein says the team is now happy with the basic system, but will continue to push the limits in terms of autonomy while working on further capability improvements and even a new version of the Mariner. One of the capability improvements is fully electric drivetrains. The technology for that, Hovstein notes, has become very robust and provides a very good solution for applications that require a minimum of noise and vibration. “If you need extreme endurance, high speed and so on, it is not the best, but more companies now require it for environmental sustainability reasons. We think it is very important for us to provide a ‘green’ solution for the Mariner, and this is something we aim to present to the market later this year,” he says. “We are working on different drivetrain designs now. The first versions will most likely need a range extender in the form of a diesel generator, but that could later be swapped for a fuel cell or extra batteries. “We also see that, while some customers are aiming for very long endurance missions, to a certain August/September 2021 | Unmanned Systems Technology With the moon pool cavity and several hardpoints, the Mariner’s underside supports sensors including imaging multi-beam sonars from several manufacturers We think it is very important for us to provide a ‘green’ solution for the Mariner, and we are working on different drivetrain designs now