French Consortium Awarded €3 Million Grant to Develop Underwater Patrol Technologies

A French consortium consisting of Ifremer, FinX, and Forssea Robotics has received a €3 million grant for a groundbreaking research and development project. The initiative, named “Residence,” will focus on the development and qualification of subsea resident patrol technologies.

The consortium brings together the expertise of Ifremer, a renowned French research institute focused on ocean exploration, FinX, a start-up specializing in bio-inspired underwater thrusters, and Forssea Robotics, a leading provider of smart remotely operated vehicle (ROV) assets and services.

The Residence project will concentrate on the development of necessary building blocks for long-term immersion underwater, including navigation, positioning, communication, and docking technologies. The ultimate goal is to create a cost-effective underwater vehicle capable of operating at depth without the need for a physical link to the surface.

By identifying the desired functional performances for each technological building block, the consortium aims to develop an advanced underwater vehicle that can operate independently without the support of a vessel. This approach has the potential to significantly reduce costs and minimize carbon emissions.

The main demonstration platform for this ambitious project will be Forssea’s cutting-edge hybrid ROV. The consortium expects to achieve significant milestones by 2025, with plans for early commercialization of the developed technologies by 2026.

This grant will undoubtedly pave the way for innovative advancements in underwater patrol technologies. The Residence project signifies a major step forward in the development of affordable and environmentally conscious solutions for subsea exploration and monitoring.

FAQ:

1. What is the purpose of the “Residence” project?
The “Residence” project aims to develop and qualify subsea resident patrol technologies, focusing on creating a cost-effective underwater vehicle capable of operating independently at depth without a physical link to the surface.

2. Which organizations are part of the consortium?
The consortium consists of Ifremer, FinX, and Forssea Robotics. Ifremer is a renowned French research institute dedicated to ocean exploration, FinX is a start-up specializing in bio-inspired underwater thrusters, and Forssea Robotics is a leading provider of smart remotely operated vehicle (ROV) assets and services.

3. What will be the main areas of focus for the Residence project?
The Residence project will concentrate on the development of navigation, positioning, communication, and docking technologies for long-term immersion underwater.

4. What is the goal of developing an advanced underwater vehicle?
The goal is to create an advanced underwater vehicle that can operate independently without the need for a support vessel, in order to reduce costs and minimize carbon emissions.

5. What is the main demonstration platform for this project?
Forssea’s cutting-edge hybrid ROV will serve as the main demonstration platform for the Residence project.

6. When are the consortium’s significant milestones expected to be achieved?
The consortium expects to achieve significant milestones by 2025, with plans for early commercialization of the developed technologies by 2026.

Definitions:
– Subsea: Underwater, beneath the surface of the sea.
– Resident patrol technologies: Technologies designed for long-term immersion underwater, allowing for independent operation without a physical link to the surface.
– ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle): A remotely controlled underwater vehicle used for various underwater tasks, such as exploration and inspection.

Suggested related links:
– Ifremer
– Forssea Robotics

The source of the article is from the blog lokale-komercyjne.pl