News/Events

Expedition DY149 has departed from Southampton to validate three of the Oceanids-developed marine sensor suites integrated with Autosub Long Range (ALR). Once validated, these sensors will be able to be used for autonomous monitoring of the oceans without the need for an on-site presence by a high-emission research ship, a significant step on the road to the future Net Zero Oceanographic Capability large research infrastructure. Onboard the RRS Discovery are three sensor suites.... more

Two Oceanids technologies are now deployed in support of Prof. Karen Heywood's ITCG TARSAN mission to the Thwaites glacier in Antarctica. Autosub Long Range (ALR) will be conducting under-ice surveys supported by the latest iteration of the Oceanids C2 command-control and data management software, C2 In A Box.

Autosub  A2KUI has successfully completed its latest series of Harbour Acceptance Tests as we work up towards its commissioning into the National Marine Equipment Pool as a national capability for UK scientists. 25 years since the first trials of the original Autosub, A2KUI will provide oceanographers with a new generation platform for deep water (6000m) and under-ice missions. The Loch Ness Combined Trial has also seen successful testing of new Autosub Long Range (ALR) and C2 (command-... more

The Oceanids team at Loch Ness have now begun the second week of trials with Autosub Long Range and Autosub 2000m Under-Ice. The vehicles are currently testing deep water calibration manoeuvres and proving the latest enhancements to the Oceanids C2 command-control and data management software for autonomous fleets. As part of its payload commissioning trials, A2KUI has also been testing its seabed mapping capabilities with its Norbit multibeam sonar.

Autosub A2KUI and Autosub Long Range (ALR) have now arrived in Scotland for the latest set of Oceanids trials developing enhanced autonomous capabilities for the future Net Zero Oceanographic Capability. Autosub A2KUI is now in the final stage of its work up to open ocean trials and anticipated commissioning into the National Marine Equipment Pool where it will provide UK scientists with access to the latest in high-power autonomous platform technologies. ALR, which... more

Trials are continuing this week in Loch Ness preparing the Oceanids ALR platform to provide national capability in under-ice operations and benthic biology studies (BioCam). The second in a series of three Loch Ness Combined Trials, ALR is practicing launch/recovery with the BioCam sensor fit ahead of expedition JC220 on the RRS James Cook in September. It is also being used to prove enhanced Onboard Control Systems ready for a science mission to the Thwaites Glacier in 2022. During... more

The Oceanids team are now in Loch Ness testing the integration of the BioCam sensor system with Autosub Long Range. Led by Prof. Blair Thornton at the University of Southampton, the BioCam project is developing innovative hardware and software for autonomous measurements of benthic biology. This trial is the final stage of testing prior to open ocean validation trials starting in September. The Oceanids team are also testing new vehicle navigation software ready for the upcoming 2022... more

Oceanids Sensors trials have resumed this week with the AutoNutS nutrient sensor being tested with the Wave Glider surface vehicle. The Oceanids CarCASS and CaPASOS sensors have already been deployed in the Solent to make check their performance ahead of the final validation trial on the RRS James Cook in September. These trials demonstrate the ability to deploy Oceanids Sensors from Autonomous Surface Vessels (ASVs) as well as on the proven Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs)... more

The Oceanids Loch Ness trials of ALR and A2KUI have hit the headlines this week. To hear more from the Oceanids team, check out the following: BBC Scotland News Online: Robot sumbarine Boaty McBoatface in Loch Ness dive tests BBC Radio Scotland: Interview with our Programme Manager, Kristian Thaller The Scotsman: Trials of robot submarines at Loch Ness will turn the tide for future ocean missions

The Oceanids C2 command-control and data management system is currently being used to support EXPORTS, a major multinational research expedition coordinated by NASA, Learn more about EXPORTS on the NOC News website or the EXPORTS project site. To learn more about C2, sign-up for our seminar this Wednesday 26/06/2021 by going to: https://ukri.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcscOuurTwpG9I146avYqjvzfrz38Dib0ny

Autosub 2000 Under-Ice (A2KUI) and Autosub Long Range (ALR) are ready for a second week of trials at Loch Ness as part of the latest phase of Oceanids' autonomous capabilities commissioning. These trials will also demonstrate the latest releases for the Oceanids C2 command-control software. ALR testing includes a forward looking Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) that will provide an important capability as it works up towards next year's major scientific research expedition... more

The Oceanids Autosub 2000 Under-Ice (A2KUI) platform has begun the next phase of trials, in-water Harbour Acceptance Testing, in Loch Ness. This is an important milestone in developing a reliable platform for delivering high-power missions in deep-water and under-ice environments. To hear more about the new capabilities that A2KUI will bring to the National Marine Equipment Pool, join the Oceanids team for the A2KUI seminar on Weds 09/06/2021. Register Now by going to: https... more

Registration is now open for the Oceanids seminar series hosted by the NOC's Marine Robotics Innovation Centre. To sign-up for any of these seminars, please follow the links below.   26/05/2021 - Oceanids C2: An innovative command-control and data ecosystem for autonomous fleets   09/06/2021 - Oceanids A2KUI: High-power autonomy for under-ice science   23/06/2021 - Oceanids Autosub Long Range (ALR): Long-endurance autonomy for ocean observing   30/... more

The Oceanids Autosub 2000m Under-Ice (A2KUI) vehicle has now begun ballasting and in-water testing as it approaches its first Harbour Acceptance Test in Loch Ness. Designed for high-power under-ice scientific missions, a comprehensive programme of dry and wet testing throughout the development lifecycle will ensure that A2KUI has the reliability to operate safely under vast areas of sea ice or glaciers.

The Oceanids Autosub 2000m Under-Ice (A2KUI) vehicle is now undergoing final workshop testing of its twin thrusters in their final build configuration as it approaches its first in-water trials. The newly developed twin-thruster and X-form tail will provide redundancy and improved survivability in the hazardous under-ice operating regime that will be the focus for A2KUI science.

New images released today show the UK's National Oceanography Centre launching a robotic underwater glider from the RRS James Cook marking the start of a four-month mission to investigate the massive A68a iceberg in the South Atlantic. In partnership with the British Antarctic Survey, the Oceanids C2 command-control and data management system is being used to pilot the gliders and process the data. "We have developed a world leading web application to pilot and manage the data from long... more

As the UK moves towards being a carbon neutral country, science and industry have a shared interest in understanding the oceans that runs from the supply chains underpinning oceanographic infrastrcuture through to the use of collected data. The increased use of marine autonomy will be key to meeting UKRI's ambitious target of becoming a net zero organisation by 2040 and to delivering growth in the blue economy while meeting the UK's climate targets. Through Oceanids, Industrial Strategy... more