Abraham AUV Successfully Delivered to Terradepth

Cellula Robotics has successfully delivered Abraham, an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), to Terradepth LLC to support the development of their AxV platform.

Abraham is based on Cellula’s proven Solus-LR AUV without the fuel cell module. In less than ten months, the project team completed the design and build at Cellula’s Burnaby facility, including three weeks of sea trials in Indian Arm (BC, Canada). 

Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, Cellula supported client involvement during testing and sea trials with remote data and video connections to the Cellula Ranger support vessel.

“This project is the first commercial sale of Cellula’s Solus AUV platform, further validating the design developed for Defence R&D Canada.  Cellula has enjoyed working with Terradepth’s high calibre team, and we are proud to have been part of their game changing AxV development.  Cellula would also like to acknowledge DRDC’s original contribution to the development of Solus-LR, which made this project possible,” said Eric Jackson, President of Cellula.

Cellula will continue to provide support to Terradepth as they progress their integrated vehicle sea trials in Austin, Texas and the Gulf of Mexico.

Terradepth is a full-stack company integrating the latest undersea data capture, storage, and transmission technologies, deployed on a fleet of networked autonomous underwater vehicles. Their mission is to capture comprehensive data from the world's ocean on an unprecedented scale, resolution, and price point. For more information, visit their website.

Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) is the national leader in defence and security science and technology. DRDC provides the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Armed Forces and other government departments, as well as the public safety and national security communities, the knowledge and technological advantage needed to defend and protect Canada’s interests at home and abroad. For more information, please visit DRDC’s website.

Solus-LR Confirms Range Potential with In-Water Testing

Cellula is pleased to announce the Solus-LR AUV program has reached a major milestone with the completion of full vehicle sea trials. Solus-LR now includes the fuel cell, suction anchor and variable buoyancy engine modules; the vehicle measures 8.5m long by 1m diameter and displaces 3,700kg.

Sea trials focused on control system tuning, suction anchor performance and hydrodynamic drag analysis. Based on the results from this testing, Cellula has confirmed Solus-LR has a range potential of 2,000 km while cruising a 1.5m/s (3kts) with sufficient payload power to operate a typical survey payload for the entire mission.

Solus-LR was built for Defence Research and Development Canada under the All Domain Situational Awareness Science and Technology Program.  Additional fuel cell-powered missions are currently planned for the summer of 2021.

Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) is the national leader in defence and security science and technology. DRDC provides the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Armed Forces and other government departments, as well as the public safety and national security communities, the knowledge and technological advantage needed to defend and protect Canada’s interests at home and abroad. For more information, please visit DRDC’s website; read their press release here.

All Domain Situational Awareness (ADSA) S&T Program: Through an investment of up to $133 million over five years, through to 2020, in the ADSA S&T Program, DND is supporting a variety of innovative research and analysis projects, the outcomes of which are expected to contribute to the development of options for enhanced domain awareness of air, maritime surface and sub-surface approaches to Canada, in particular those in the Arctic. This research and analysis will be delivered through collaboration with other government departments, academia, industry and allies. Surveillance solutions explored and potentially selected will strengthen the Government of Canada’s ability to exercise sovereignty in the North, and will provide a greater whole-of-government awareness of safety and security issues, as well as transportation and commercial activity in Canada’s Arctic.

Cellula Robotics and Ocean Floor Geophysics Collaborate on Vessel Signature Measurement Contract for Royal Canadian Navy

Cellula Robotics Ltd. is collaborating with Ocean Floor Geophysics Ltd. (OFG) on a contract to measure and model the magnetic and electric signatures of a non-combatant training vessel provided by the Royal Canadian Navy. The results will be used to complement and extend current vessel signature measurement capabilities.

The data will be collected by OFG sensors integrated on Cellula’s Solus-LR AUV. In addition to sensor integration, Cellula will provide engineering services, a remote operations piloting control centre, and use of AUV support vessel Cellula Ranger for the field trials.

Solus-LR is a fuel cell powered long range AUV, capable of 2000km submerged missions. It is currently being built for Defence Research Development Canada under the All Domain Situational Awareness Science and Technology Program. For more information, visit our product page.

Since its inception Ocean Floor Geophysics (OFG) has consistently developed and operated innovative marine geophysical systems to provide new perspectives to their clients. OFG provides previously unavailable data acquisition and analysis services by integrating magnetic, EM, CSEM/MT, gravity, chemical, and hydrographic sensors and systems deployed on AUVs, ASV/USVs, ROVs and towed systems. For more information, visit their website.

Successful Completion of JAMSTEC High Flow Water Pump & Large Diameter Drilling Tools

Cellula Robotics has successfully completed and delivered a high flow water pump and additional drilling tools for JAMSTEC’s large diameter drilling operations.

This equipment was designed to support their Boring Machine System, delivered in 2016 and based on Cellula’s CRD100 seafloor drill.  Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, Cellula is also providing remote installation support.

Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) is an independent administrative institution whose main objective is to contribute to the advancement of academic research in addition to the improvement of marine science and technology. For more information, please visit the JAMSTEC website.

Successful Factory Acceptance Testing Completion for ROV-Controlled Fence Cutter

Cellula Robotics Ltd. has successfully completed Factory Acceptance Testing for a ROV-controlled fence cutter.

The fence cutter enables ROV inspection access to a flooded hydro-electric dam tunnel by cutting access holes through steel trash racks. The ROV is easily able to position and mount the cutter to the fence.

The project leveraged Cellula’s experience with electro-hydraulic control systems, and track record of rapidly developing complex hydraulic subsea robotic systems, to provide a bespoke solution to our client – all under the control and oversight of our ISO 9001:2015 certificated Quality Management System.

Solus-LR Successfully Completes Suction Anchor Testing in Second Sea Trials

Cellula Robotics’ Solus-LR has completed a second round of tank tests and sea trials, which includes successful testing of its’ novel suction anchor system.

Solus-LR is a fuel cell powered long range AUV, capable of 2000km submerged missions; it is currently being built for Defence Research and Development Canada under the All Domain Situational Awareness Science and Technology Program

The suction anchor is a unique feature to Solus-LR, which allows station holding at a surveillance location in a quiet, low power mode. Recent sea trials demonstrated the anchor deployment from Solus-LR and caisson embedment in the seafloor.  Pull tests verified the holding force and suitability for future missions.

Upcoming sea trials will focus on the fuel cell power system and validate Solus-LR’s range capability.

Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) is the national leader in defence and security science and technology. DRDC provides the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Armed Forces and other government departments, as well as the public safety and national security communities, the knowledge and technological advantage needed to defend and protect Canada’s interests at home and abroad. For more information, please visit DRDC’s website; read their press release here.

All Domain Situational Awareness (ADSA) S&T Program: Through an investment of up to $133 million over five years, through to 2020, in the ADSA S&T Program, DND is supporting a variety of innovative research and analysis projects, the outcomes of which are expected to contribute to the development of options for enhanced domain awareness of air, maritime surface and sub-surface approaches to Canada, in particular those in the Arctic. This research and analysis will be delivered through collaboration with other government departments, academia, industry and allies. Surveillance solutions explored and potentially selected will strengthen the Government of Canada’s ability to exercise sovereignty in the North, and will provide a greater whole-of-government awareness of safety and security issues, as well as transportation and commercial activity in Canada’s Arctic.

Successful Large Diamater Drilling Upgrade for JAMSTEC CRD100 Seafloor Drill

Cellula Robotics Ltd. has successfully completed the design and delivery of a large diameter drilling upgrade to JAMSTEC’s Boring Machine System (BMS), based on Cellula’s CRD100 Seafloor Drill.

The upgrade enables a 200 mm diameter bore hole to be drilled to at least 20 meters below mudline in water depths down to 3000 meters. Sensor packages up to 160 mm in diameter and 1200 mm in length then then deployed.

The original BMS was delivered to JAMSTEC in 2016; since then, Cellula has remained committed to supporting our client’s evolving needs. All products are produced under our ISO 9001 Quality Management System, and leverage Cellula’s extensive experience with manufacturing remotely operated subsea equipment and seafloor geotechnical drills.