The ecoSUBm25-Science AUV is a disruptive technology based on the extremely affordable ecoSUBm series AUV platform. It weighs just 12 kg and has a depth rated to 2,500 m. While most deep-rated AUV technology is based on large and expensive platforms, costing millions of dollars, the ecoSUB platform is in the tens of thousands, providing a step-change in accessibility to autonomous ocean data collection for the marine science community and others.
The ecoSUBm25-Science AUV was equipped with a CTD and a Chelsea Technologies TriLux sensor, providing measurements of conductivity, temperature, chlorophyll, turbidity, and phycoerythrin. The m25 platform is also capable of hosting sensors to measure dissolved oxygen, CDOM, pH, and oil in water, as well as navigation sensors such as altimeters and DVL, along with acoustic coms for underwater communications.
ecoSubAUV on a dive mission. (Video credit: ecoSUB)
The 2,000 m depth mission was completed on July 30, 2024. Launch and recovery were from Observatoio 1, a fast RIB research vessel, kindly provided by the Oceanic Observatory of Madeira, who generously supported the trials by providing workshop and vessel support. This mission marks a world-AUV-first, industry-leading 2,000 m deployment for a micro-AUV system—proving real-world technology to aid ocean data collection.
Furthermore, onboard navigation and mission parameters maintained a launch point and recovery point separation of just 125 meters, demonstrating the system’s ability to maintain a straight-down and straight-up capability. The total mission length was one 1 hour and 40 minutes. The maximum depth recorded was 2,002 meters.
For more information about the ecoSUB family of affordable AUV systems, visit: www.ecosub.uk
