BGU Launches an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle
BGU Launches an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle
October 25, 2017
Globes – BGN Technologies Ltd., BGU’s technology transfer company, has announced the launch of BG Robotics (BGR) – a new company that will commercialize HydroCamel II, Israel’s first autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) developed by researchers at BGU’s Laboratory for Autonomous Robotics (LAR).
Watch a video of HydroCamel II in action >>
BGR will introduce HydroCamel II, a 2.5 meter-long (8.2 feet) AUV, for commercial use in the military, security, oil, and gas sectors, as well as environmental applications and marine research. The company, to be headquartered in Beer-Sheva‘s Advanced Technologies Park adjacent to the University, will be led by CEO Tzvika Goldner.
HydroCamel II in the lab
The autonomous underwater vehicle market will reach $1.2 billion by 2023, according to Markets and Markets, growing annually by 22 percent due to the rising necessity for sea-based security measures worldwide and increasing offshore oil and gas production.
“The HydroCamel II AUV integrates state-of-the-art technologies including high-level maneuvering in six degrees of freedom and an ability to dive almost vertically,” says Prof. Hugo Guterman, director of LAR and member of BGU’s Homeland Security Institute and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
“Until now, these capabilities were limited to remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs), which must be tethered by umbilical cable to a host ship at all times, while the HydroCamel II is completely autonomous.”
The HydroCamel II AUV combines full autonomy and maneuverability while enabling quick integration of specialized payloads such as sonars, cameras, sensors, and a specimen collection arm.
Read the full story on the Globes website >>
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