World’s First Resident Subsea Drone Contract Awarded

Modus was awarded the contract by Equinor Energy for the autonomous deployment of a Saab Sabertooth underwater robot By Caroline Rees / 04 Nov 2022

Autonomous Inspection

Discover cutting-edge solutions from 18 leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Modus has a fleet of Sabertooth hovering autonomous underwater vehicles (HAUVs)
Follow UST

Modus has been awarded a resident subsea contract by Equinor Energy for the autonomous deployment of a Saab Sabertooth underwater robot.

The Saab Sabertooth will remain at a subsea docking station for charging and data transfer between missions at the Johan Sverdrup oil field, Norway. Over-the-horizon mission management will come from Modus’ Command and Control Center at its UK head office.

According to the industry, residency of robotic systems will reduce operational expenditure, remove humans from offshore work, and reduce environmental impact.

Sabertooth on a Modus docking platform
Sabertooth on a Modus docking platform

Modus chose Sabertooth as the world’s only roaming and hovering multi-role, 360° maneuvrable system that enables fully flexible dual autonomous and intervention operations from a single platform, fitted with cameras, sonars and tooling.

Behind the Sabertooth’s success is 10 years’ development by Saab Seaeye engineers in Sweden and the UK, where advanced military and commercial technologies were integrated to create the Sabertooth concept and its multirole capability. 

According to Saab, a key challenge was achieving millimeter precision tasking from a remote location while underwater. This was achieved by circumventing latency with Saab’s iCON™ intelligent control system.

Winner of the Underwater Technology Foundation’s Subsea Award for outstanding achievements within the subsea industry, the 3000m rated Sabertooth was seen by UTF as achieving a world first after proving the potential for marine autonomous systems to take a greater role in underwater inspection, repair and maintenance methodologies.

For Modus, the breakthrough development of achieving residency positions it at the forefront of subsea innovation and its vision to offer fully autonomous carbon-zero solutions.

The company sees the project demonstrating the major benefits of resident underwater intervention drones and is excited to work with Equinor to provide a sustainable route to vastly improved operational regularity, consistent ultra-high-quality data, significantly reduced operational expenditure spend and increased safety.

Modus believes that with Equinor leading the way on technology solutions as part of its commitment to a low-carbon future, the contract has the potential to drive a paradigm shift in the industry.

Find suppliers & manufacturers of Vehicles & Robotics for Autonomous Inspection >>

Posted by Caroline Rees Caroline co-founded Unmanned Systems Technology and has been at the forefront of the business ever since. With a Masters Degree in marketing Caroline has her finger on the pulse of all things unmanned and is committed to showcasing the very latest in unmanned technical innovation. Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

Low- & Zero-Emission Propulsion & Power Generation Solutions for UAVs

NEX Power's hybrid propulsion technologies are designed to enable next-generation applications such as UAM and heavy-lift cargo drones

Feb 07, 2025
Most Read Articles on UST This Week

Here’s our round-up of the five most read articles on UnmannedSystemsTechnology.com this week

Feb 07, 2025
Project OPTIMAS to Utilize Schiebel VTOL UAS for Advanced Optical Laser Communications

Project OPTIMAS and Schiebel are set to develop a secure, high-speed optical communication system using quantum encryption and laser technology for multi-domain defence and satellite connectivity

Feb 07, 2025
Gemini 1200id High-Resolution Sonar Optimized for Unmanned Underwater Operations

Tritech's Gemini 1200id sonar offers high-resolution imaging, advanced noise reduction, and dual-frequency capability, enhancing performance for unmanned underwater systems and mission-critical ROV operations

Feb 07, 2025
Dockstr to Offer SubC Imaging’s Underwater Cameras & Software Solutions

SubC Imaging has announced Dockstr as its new agent, extending access to its advanced underwater cameras, DVRs, and remote operation systems across key offshore sectors worldwide

Feb 07, 2025
New NDAA-Compliant FPV Drone Camera Released 

Unusual Machines has launched the NDAA-compliant Fat Shark Aura FPV Camera, offering high-performance, first-person view capabilities for commercial and defense applications

Feb 07, 2025

Featured Content

Vertiq’s 81-08 G2 Module Added to DIU’s Blue UAS Framework

Vertiq's 81-08 G2 servo motor and control system for Group 2 sUAS has become the first motor and ESC combination to be approved under the U.S. government's Blue UAS Framework

Feb 05, 2025
Compact Remote ID Receiver Released for Enhanced Drone Safety

Dronetag has introduced RIDER, a pocket-sized, drone-agnostic Remote ID receiver designed to improve airspace situational awareness and support commercial and public safety applications

Jan 30, 2025
New GCS Software Released for C100 Quadcopter

Performance Drone Works introduces PDW CORE, a comprehensive software bundle enhancing the C100 quadcopter's capabilities with a new UI, flight simulator, mission planner, ATAK integration, and fleet management tools

Jan 29, 2025
Advanced Signal Mapping Tool Released for Effective UAV Flight Planning

Elsight has launched HeatSight, a signal strength mapping tool that provides UAV operators with reliable cellular coverage data, improving flight planning efficiency and safety for BVLOS missions

Jan 28, 2025
Doodle Labs Unveils Mobile App for Managing Mesh Networks

Doodle Labs is introducing the Mesh Rider® Mobile App, providing intuitive tools for managing wireless mesh networks across devices such as ground control stations (GCS) and UAVs

Jan 23, 2025
Advanced FOG-Based Inertial Sensing Solutions for Drones & Robotics

Aegiverse's products feature a multi-layered architecture that combines multiple elements into a compact module, providing significant, size, weight and cost reductions

Jan 21, 2025