French firm launches hybrid ROV made for USV applications

Paris-headquartered provider of smart remotely operated vehicle (ROV) assets and services Forssea Robotics has introduced its newborn ROV developed for uncrewed surface vessel (USV) integration and shallow water deployments.

According to Forssea Robotics, the ARGOS-X ROV has been optimized for offshore wind operation and maintenance applications with the ability to conduct faster surveys in the water column up to +2.5 knots current.

The ROV will be equipped with Forssea full autonomy software suite and compatible with Starlink real-time remote supervision.

The French company also noted that the ROV can be upgraded with a battery pack for deeper water survey in tetherless mode. The same platform will be used in the context of Forssea Robotics resident R&D programs to qualify critical technology bricks for long-term immersions and full autonomy.

As part of a collaboration with Exail that was established in 2020, the vehicle is set to be used onboard the Drix O-16.

Forssea Robotics is leading a French consortium that had recently secured a €3 million grant to develop and qualify subsea resident patrol technologies.

Also comprising Ifremer, a research institute dedicated to the ocean, and FinX, a start-up specialized in bio-inspired underwater thrusters, the consortium aims to develop the strategic building blocks necessary for residence in order to have, in the medium term, a low-cost underwater vehicle capable of remaining at depth without a physical link with the surface.