US firm launches its ‘first turnkey autonomous vessel’

U.S.-based Sea Machines Robotics has launched a new unmanned surface vessel (USV) for marine exploration and operations.

According to Sea Machines, the company’s first turnkey autonomous vessel SELKIE will be deployed for hydrographic surveying, offshore asset inspection, security operations, and environmental studies. 

The first model was named SELKIE 7,  a seven-meter-long USV powered by the company’s SM300 autonomous command and control system. 

Some of the most important features include autonomous capabilities that grant users access to advanced functions, and that it is quick to learn and ready to command via the single-screen graphical user interference, said Sea Machines.

Furthermore, SELKIE has an under-keel sonar mount, CTD winch, and ample power and space to mount customer hardware. Also, it is equipped with built-in cargo storage, equivalent to 2×1.3 meters (two Euro pallets). It includes remotely controllable deck hatches for deploying payloads at sea, like inspection and surveillance UAVs.

Another feature is that for a vessel of its size, SELKIE has high operational endurance because of its design and diesel propulsion, the company noted.

“She’s finally here with 9 years of autonomous development and on water use behind SELKIE; our overarching goal is to give customers, the world’s fleet operators, products that enable them to capture new and substantial value from their work,” said Michael G. Johnson, Founder and CEO of Sea Machines Robotics. 

“With SELKIE, commercial operators, researchers, and security agencies can go further, do more, do it better, with less costly or restrictive effort.“

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