Introduction

Hydrus is an autonomous underwater vehicle designed for performing underwater data acquisition missions reliably and with ease. With its intuitive online platform accessible via Wi-Fi, users can effortlessly plan and execute underwater survey missions straight out of the box.

Hydrus utilises advanced AI and control algorithms to autonomously navigate, avoiding obstacles and collisions while efficiently collecting data. Its versatility allows for programming complex missions and dynamic adaptation to real-time scenarios.

Equipped with a camera, sonar system, and multiple navigation and data acquisition sensors, Hydrus supports underwater terrain mapping, video and image capture, and environmental data collection. Integrated navigation and communication systems, including a Doppler Velocity Log (DVL), acoustic transponder & modem, and Inertial Navigation System (INS), ensure precise and accurate operation.

Thanks to its innovative combination of high-quality image capture, dynamic lighting, and AI image processing, Hydrus delivers superior georeferenced footage.

Constructed with a fully encapsulated polymer body, Hydrus integrates all its advanced features into a compact, lightweight, and portable design. This enables prompt mobilisation and execution of complex autonomous underwater surveys, manageable by a single person with minimal training.

Hydrus offers mission capabilities in two distinct mission modes: standalone and Subsonus assisted. In standalone mission mode, Hydrus operates independent of external systems or hardware, relying entirely on its state of the art sensors and dead reckoning navigation capability. In standalone mode, Hydrus can be launched directly from shore or a small boat, ideally suited up to depths of approximately 30 metres. In Subsonus assisted mission mode, Hydrus is paired with a Subsonus USBL to provide accurate positioning and real time mission monitoring. This mode is suited to deeper water applications, or missions that require the best accuracy. For example, to conduct an orthomosaic survey in Subsonus assisted mode, the overlap between mows can be more relaxed than for standalone mode, and have lesser chance of gaps in the data.