SeeByte and VideoRay Successfully Test Software Upgrades to Sonar CoPilot System

SeeByte, a developer of smart software for unmanned maritime systems, in collaboration with VideoRay have successfully developed and tested improvements to the Sonar CoPilot system. These software upgrades include improvements to the user interfaces and target tracking features. The system provides a comprehensive tool to allow for 1-click automated target inspections using a man-portable ROV.

The system has undergone successful testing in a variety of environments to ensure it’s reliability. The VideoRay was flown in the FloWave Ocean tank, a new state-of-the-art facility located in Edinburgh University facilities, which aims to simulate ocean conditions. The system was also tested in-water at Dunbar pier off the North Sea and at the Wave Tank at Heriot-Watt University.

Tom Glebas, Vice President of Product Management, Technical Support & Documentation at VideoRay commented “These software upgrades have allowed us to provide our customers with an intuitive and user-friendly system which lets operators better focus on the task at hand”.

Sonar CoPilot by SeeByte for VideoRay Pro 4 ROVs incorporates the most advanced technology in software and imaging sonar to provide target tracking and automation. The software allows a target to be identified by the operator and the computer controls the thrusters to manoeuvre to within visual range. This solution simply takes a VideoRay Pro 4 ROV system with a BlueView P900 series imaging sonar and adds software which effectively allows click-and-go auto piloting as the vehicle is able to autonomously fly to a selected target.