Innovatum has teamed up its Smartrak magnetic sensor system to a Saab Seaeye Sabertooth autonomous robotic vehicle to hunt down and survey buried submarine pipelines, energy cables and communication cables.
The Sabertooth is said to be the only autonomous vehicle able to handle the out-rigged Smartrak as the smallest survey system of its type.
“I’ve waited years for an autonomous robotic vehicle that can handle this kind of survey work,” says Innovatum’s chairman, Terry Slater .
“Finally, we have Sabertooth, the only autonomous vehicle that can be fitted with a conventional tracking system.”
The survey system gathers data essential for installation contractors, owners and regulatory authorities to ensure that pipelines and cables are properly buried and not in danger of being exposed to damage.
In future, Innovatum said it also plans to fit its Smartsearch UXO system to the Sabertooth for hunting down unexploded ordnance.
Smartrak already operates on three of Saab Seaeye’s ROVs, the Falcon, Panther and Cougar which, like the Sabertooth, can operate close inshore in strong currents and tidal flows.