MODUS Subsea Completes World’s First HAUV Subsea Autonomous Docking

In a world’s first, Modus completed the successful autonomous docking of one of its fleet of hybrid autonomous underwater vehicles (HAUV) to an Equinor Subsea Docking Station (SDS) as part of an Equinor funded test scope in the North East of England.

Equinor SDS HAUV autonomously located SDS signal allowing the vehicle to latch, permitting power and data transfer subsea. Credit: MODUS

The HAUV system, based on a Saab Sabertooth AUV, successfully docked subsea to the SDS without any operator intervention and the entire operation was monitored live from the Modus Command and Control Center located at its headquarters in Darlington, utilizing a secure data network and free space optics at the test site.

“This is one of the last technology enablers to be proven allowing the use of resident subsea drones to become a reality across the sector. Modus has positioned itself at the forefront of subsea technology and innovation with a vision to offer full autonomous solutions at net zero” said Graeme Jaques, Sales Manager.

The Modus Command & Control Center allows operators to remotely pilot the HAUV and upload & initiate fully autonomous missions. Credit: MODUS

Representatives from Equinor’s technology and drone implementation team were present to witness this significant milestone.

MODUS is a subsea services contractor with a specialist division (MODUS AUTONOMY) developing fully automated, low cost, carbon zero inspection and maintenance services using subsea resident hovering AUVs.