US autonomous surface vehicle completes multi-day trials without returning to base

U.S.-based Ocean Power Technologies (OPT) has completed a set of exercises in California in which its WAM-V unmanned surface vehicle (USV) operated for multiple days without needing to return to base.

During the exercises, the WAM-V 22 operated for several days while hosting a complete seabed survey payload providing real-time hydrographic and survey data collection.

According to OPT, the multi-day operational capability is designed to offer greater persistence at sea while hosting an array of offshore instrumentation for longer and more power-intensive requirements.

“This is a groundbreaking milestone for OPT. The technological capabilities of our WAM-Vs can now be deployed for multiple days in over the horizon operations,” said Philipp Stratmann, CEO of Ocean Power Technologies.

“Having previously demonstrated the ability to deploy for multiple days, the recently implemented design changes now enable full operations over extended time periods. This opens up entirely new operating approaches for our customers, leading to enhanced efficiencies and opening up new markets for OPT.”

In the summer of 2024, OPT joined hands with Unique Group, a UAE-headquartered innovator in subsea technologies and engineering, to take its autonomous vehicle services to the Middle East.

A couple of months later, the company entered a partnership with industrial service provider 3B General Trading & Contracting to advance Kuwait’s offshore energy and maritime projects.