Underwater Robotics

Exploration, inspection and maintenance technologies

Underwater systems are subject to special demands in extreme conditions such as pressure, currents and limited visibility. Drawing on our expertise in control, sensor technology, and system integration, as well as our experience from numerous missions around the world, we develop robust underwater robotic solutions for exploration, inspection, and manipulation tasks.

We specialize in maritime technologies combined with robotics and automation research.

Our range of services

  • Underwater technologies
    We cover everything from developing individual components to creating complex, complete systems. We have several underwater vehicles at our disposal for testing and further developing components and assemblies.
  • System development
    We support you in developing prototypes through to finished products with our expertise in software, hardware and system integration.
  • Control and regulation algorithms
    We develop algorithms for underwater vehicles and robots for exploration, as well as for inspection, maintenance and manipulation tasks on underwater infrastructure.
  • Evaluation environments
    Our research platform offers access to special evaluation environments, such as pressure testing facilities, underwater laboratories and various test environments.
  • Actuators and sensors
    We collaborate with you to analyze and evaluate scenarios relating to environmental conditions, requirements for actuators and sensors, and navigation requirements. We also collaborate with you to develop cutting-edge solutions for AI-based sensor data evaluation.
  • Consulting
    We support your decision-making in the field of underwater robotics and offer hands-on courses on underwater vehicles.

Future-proof technologies for efficient underwater applications

Our value proposition

  • Our development environment addresses the key challenges faced by manufacturers of electronic, sensor and robotics components, eliminating the need for significant investment in proprietary development and testing environments.
  • You will gain access to modern testing environments, pressure testing facilities and underwater laboratories.
  • Benefit from our extensive expertise gained from current research projects and our experience of operating worldwide in the field of underwater robotics.
  • You will have access to expertise in hardware, software, system integration, certification and standardisation.

Making collaboration easy

We work with you to overcome your challenges, either in our test laboratories in Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt, on the Baltic Sea, or in your operating environment with our transportable ROV/AUV.

Where and how we work with you:

  • Research and development: we work together to research and develop solutions to today's and tomorrow's problems.
  • Dams and waterworks: condition assessment of intakes, pressure tunnels and structures
  • Port and coastal infrastructure: inspection of quay walls, piers and sheet pile walls
  • Offshore wind farms: inspection of foundations, cable routes and monopiles
  • Industrial plants: inspection and maintenance of tanks, storage facilities, and underwater pipelines
  • Marine biology: habitat mapping, sampling and environmental data collection
  • Aquaculture: net and cage inspection and condition monitoring

Do you have any questions? We would be happy to advise you on your specific application and find the best solution for your needs.

Success stories & projects

Unique 3D underwater perspectives of a medieval cargo ship

Innovative robotic solution for underwater maintenance of offshore infrastructure

Automated inspection system for offshore wind turbines: MISO Inspector (multi-input single-output) sensor carrier for automated and self-learning diagnosis of underwater infrastructure

Benefit from our extensive industry network

 

GMT connects its members from business and science to initiate national and international research and development projects.

 

OceanTechnologies@Fraunhofer Competence Network

 

Our SOT Lab develops pioneering marine technology and new solutions for the sustainable use of the oceans.