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Boxfish AUV - Customisable Hovering ...

Boxfish AUV - Customisable Hovering Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

The Boxfish AUV is a next-generation customisable hovering autonomous underwater vehicle designed by Boxfish Robotics. It boasts six degrees of freedom in its dynamic stabilization system, ensuring precise control in underwater environments. The AUV is offered in two models supporting depths of 300m and 600m, with a range of 6 km on a single charge, thanks to its 600Wh battery. It supports both autonomous operation and fully manual tethered control, featuring up to five free ports for optional sonar and environmental sensors like CTDs, pH sensors, turbidity sensors, fluorometers, and hydrophones. Its advanced camera system includes triple cameras for stereo navigation and a large-sensor camera for capturing high-resolution 20MP images and 4K video. Equipped with high CRI 17,000 lumen lighting, it ensures excellent imaging in varied conditions. The AUV also facilitates easy maneuverability with eight 3D-vectored thrusters. Deployment is swift, given its lightweight, portable design, making it manageable by a single operator.

Autonomous. Customisable. Hovering AUV.

The Boxfish AUV represents our latest generation of customisable hovering AUVs, offering six degrees of freedom operation and dynamic stabilisation. Available in 300m and 600m depth options.

It’s expandable architecture support both autonomous operation and fully manual tethered operation. The Boxfish AUV offering a range of up to 6km operation at one charge.

With the capacity for up to five free ports for connecting optional sonar and environmental sensors, the Boxfish AUV becomes a powerful scientific tool for repeatable autonomous inspection tasks.

Advanced Camera System

The standard triple camera head on the Boxfish AUV includes stereo cameras for navigation and an exceptional large-sensor camera with matched dome optics, capturing stunning 20MP images and broadcast-quality 4K video. High CRI 17,000 lumen lighting ensures optimal image data capture in any underwater environment.

Autonomous Operation

Boxfish autonomy enables efficient navigation using waypoints based on latitude/longitude, depth, altitude, or USBL beacon relative positioning. It also supports attitude control, and integration with camera and sonar systems. Boxfish mission planning software simplifies the process of setting up transects and grid patterns, allowing for the collection of overlapping image data.

Easy to deploy

From plane, to boat, to dive, the lightweight and portable Boxfish AUV is an easy system to transport and deploy. Setup and launch within minutes of arriving on site, all manageable by a single operator.

Maneuverability

With eight 3D-vectored thrusters, the Boxfish AUV offers the unique capability of six degrees of freedom of movement. This means the vehicle can travel and orient itself in any direction, providing users with a powerful tool for capturing images from various angles and operating in currents.

Optional Sensors

The Boxfish AUV can incorporate a wide range of optional sensors including CTDs, pH sensors, turbidity sensors, fluorometers and hydrophones for environmental monitoring.

Range

The Boxfish AUV has 600Wh battery endurance, offering a range of up to 6 km in autonomous operation at one charge. With the optional fast charger, the AUV can be easily recharged in the field in just 45 minutes.

General

Presssure vessel material: Hard anodised aluminium alloy
Dome Material: Acrylic
Thruster layout: eight 3D vectored
Manoeuvrability: 6 Degrees of Freedom
Fault-tolerant design allows for continued operation even with a failed thruster
Range up to 6km
Depth rating: 300m or 600m
Operating temperature: -10˚C to +45˚C

Camera system

Front triple camera head

Sony 4K main camera
Stereo machine vision cameras

Lighting

Forward: 2 x 8,500 lumen, high CRI, dimmable
Adjustable arms and ball mounts for excellent lighting in all orientations
Additional forward lighting options available

Physical Specifications

Dimensions (l/w/h): 730mm / 435mm / 351mm
Weight (salt water ballast installed): 25kg

Mission Planning Software

Simple mission generation using grid pattern or simple transects
Highly customisable interface (pitch, speed, lighting, distance from objects, depth, altitude at any waypoint and multiple USBL beacons)
Start/Stop image collection, video capture, or sensor data at any waypoint
Obstacle avoidance and backtracking

Power

Dive time up to 10 hours (depending on conditions)
Lithium polymer batteries
Battery capacity: 600Wh
Battery recharge time: 5 hrs standard or 45 min fast charge AC/DC field optional

Integrated sensors

Depth sensor
IMU
Internal pressure
Temperature and humidity monitoring
Battery voltage
Leak detection
Thruster failure detection
USBL
DVL

External connections

Four Boxfish free standard ports
Boxfish patented tether connector
Network: RS232, RS422, RS485 and Ethernet
Power: 12V @ 50W and 24V @ 50W

Optional add-ons

Navigation

Oculus Imaging sonar (about multibeam sonar)

Environmental Sensors

miniCTD
pH sensor
turbidity
chlorophyll
fluorometer
hydrophone

Tether & reel (Optional)

Extremely durable, lightweight fibre optic dia. diameter 2.7mm
Tether length as required
Neutrally buoyant in fresh water

Control station (Optional)

17” 4K primary monitor for real-time surface monitoring
High quality, physical controls for all primary functions