EIVA and Tuco Marine Unveil Autonomous Subsea Survey System for Enhanced Underwater Asset Monitoring
A groundbreaking partnership between EIVA, a specialist in subsea survey technologies, and Tuco Marine, a leading developer of unmanned surface vessels (USVs), promises to revolutionize how subsea assets are monitored and maintained. This collaboration combines the strengths of both companies to create an integrated autonomous system for inspecting critical underwater infrastructure, such as renewable energy cables, with unmatched precision and efficiency.
The Game-Changing Duo: ProZero USV and ViperFish ROTV
The innovative system pairs Tuco Marine's ProZero 8m Naval Intelligence USV with EIVA’s state-of-the-art ViperFish remotely operated towed vehicle (ROTV). The ProZero USV autonomously navigates to designated locations, where it deploys the ViperFish to carry out high-resolution seabed imaging and detailed mapping of depth and magnetic signals.
This system is designed to address a growing demand for robust solutions capable of autonomously surveying subsea infrastructure. The collaboration aims to enhance efficiency and reduce costs, making frequent and thorough inspections more feasible than ever before.
Meeting Industry Needs: Why Integration Matters
One of the critical success factors for autonomous systems lies in seamless integration. This partnership ensures that both the USV and the ROTV work cohesively, supported by EIVA’s proprietary software suite. By combining these technologies, operators can benefit from real-time data acquisition and analysis, which is crucial for monitoring and maintaining infrastructure like offshore wind farm cables, pipelines, and communication networks.
Christian Thomsen, CEO of EIVA, emphasized the synergy between the two companies:
"Leveraging the complementary nature of our technologies, EIVA is looking forward to working with Tuco Marine to offer the market a solution that we see a lot of demand for – a fully integrated system to autonomously survey subsea assets."
Jonas Pedersen, Managing Director of Tuco Marine, added:
"By combining a USV, like our ProZero, together with EIVA’s ROTV sensor platform and survey software, it’s possible to monitor the conditions of critical subsea infrastructure much more thoroughly and frequently than with conventional setups."
Proven Expertise and Versatile Applications
EIVA and Tuco Marine bring years of experience and proven technologies to the table. EIVA’s earlier success with the ScanFish sensor platform, widely used for unexploded ordnance (UXO) surveys, showcases their expertise in delivering reliable subsea solutions. Their newly launched ViperFish (2023) reflects inputs from customers seeking advanced capabilities in autonomous systems.
Tuco Marine’s ProZero vessels, meanwhile, are already trusted in offshore wind operations, environmental monitoring, and defense applications. This makes their integration with EIVA’s ROTV and software ecosystem a natural fit.
The partnership is further bolstered by the Covelya Group, of which EIVA is a part. This group’s members include sensor specialists like Sonardyne, Wavefront Systems, and defense-focused company Forcys, enabling the new system to address a wide range of applications, including mine countermeasures and rapid environmental assessments.
Expanding Horizons for Maritime Technology
This collaboration opens up exciting possibilities for industries dependent on subsea infrastructure. By enabling autonomous operations with high-quality data output, the system reduces the need for costly manned surveys while improving safety and operational efficiency. Its applications extend beyond renewable energy and offshore installations to defense, aquaculture, and environmental research.
The EIVA-Tuco Marine partnership highlights a shared vision of leveraging innovative technologies to meet evolving industry needs. As demand for autonomous maritime systems continues to grow, this collaboration stands as a benchmark for what’s possible when expertise and innovation come together.
