University and robotics firm to collaborate on North Sea AI underwater vehicles

Autonomous Robotics, a subsidiary of listed company Thalassa, is to collaborate with Robert Gordon University to conduct research on swarm technology of autonomous underwater vehicles in the North Sea. The work is supported by the Oil & Gas Innovation Centre. The purpose of this research is to further enhance the capability of the'flying node' system and further reduce the cost and time for ocean bottom seismic surveys. The Swarm Technology research will be performed by Dr Wai-keung Fung and Mr Adham Sabra, who are with the Communications and Autonomous Systems Group within the School of Engineering, with results are expected within 12 months. Chairman Dave Grant said: "ARL are working with RGU to research and create a practical localisation system for the flying node system which will allow the flying nodes to operate in a swarm and move from their initial seabed position to a new seabed location.