Tallinn University of Technology Selects Iver AUV for Research in the Baltic Sea
By
Inger Peterson
OceanServer Technology has recently delivered an Iver2-580 EP42 (Expandable Payload) AUV to Tallinn University of Technology (TUT) in Estonia. TUT has a long track record of utilizing new technology for research into real world applications. The researchers at the University expect to use the Iver2 platform to develop and demonstrate software solutions supporting AUV autonomy in the context of the Baltic Sea. The Baltic Sea presents many operational challenges such as brackish waters, very low visibility, heavy marine traffic and many obstacles in the water. The Department of Computer Science of Tallinn University of Technology plans to couple mission-time analysis of data withthe ability to augment the mission in real-time.
The Iver EP platform provides users a fully developed remote helm capability that allows predefined missions to be interrupted and changed. This flexibility will be relied on as a valuable tool for developing and testing innovative in-situ marine scientific data collection techniques specific to the Baltic Sea area. The university hopes to establish AUV test methods for a range of parameters and non-traditional parameters like underwater noise.The EP42's open system architecture gives TUT the opportunity and flexibility to add additional sensors to help support these efforts.
The Iver Platform
All Iver AUV models come standard with OceanServer's VectorMap Mission Planning and Data Presentation tool, which provides geo-registered data files that can be easily exported to other software analysis tools. This unique AUV design has enabled OceanServer to carve out a very strong position in the research space for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles, sensors and behavioral studies. OceanServer has delivered over 200 AUV systems to customers around the globe. The base vehicle, with a starting price at just over $50,000 USD, gives university, government and commercial users an affordable base-platform for sensor development or survey applications in water quality, sub-surface security and general research.
