UTOFIA System 1 test on a Unmanned Surface Vehicle

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Muriel Powell
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Its first stop was at the Subsea Tech Marseilles facilities where it was on the CAT-Surveyor Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV).

1 Newsletter #4 March 2017 UTOFIA System 1 test on a Unmanned Surface Vehicle The test was performed in harbor environment in Marseilles France. Our 2 nd prototype (UTOFIA system 1) went on extensive sea trails tour in November. Its first stop was at the Subsea Tech Marseilles facilities where it was on the CAT-Surveyor Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV). This is a 3 m long catamaran designed for harbour surveillance and monitoring. Four days were spent in integrating the camera with the vehicle to optimize camera operations and communications after which preliminary trials were carried out in front of Subsea Tech facilities next to Marseilles harbour, with the assistance of one SINTEF engineer. UTOFIA camera was mounted underneath the catamaran central deck, on a remotely operated support to allow adjusting camera tilt angle. Trials were conducted in the harbour environment, looking at sea bed, litter and debris and including both 2D and 3D image acquisition modes. Integration works included some modifications to the standard CAT-Surveyor which consisted in upgrading the embedded PC to make it compatible with UTOFIA software requirements, modifying the below deck support (usually used for sonar type sensors) to make it remotely operable, adding a standard video camera (professional version manufactured by Subsea Tech) and an external closed loop water cooling system to cope with the fact that the back thermal flange was out of water. The trials demonstrated that UTOFIA is operable from a small platform like the CAT-Surveyor USV but also allowed to us quantify some operational limits such as sensitivity to ambient light and limited efficiency in highly turbid waters. The trials also helped to improve the control software. The operational experience gained during these preliminary trials will definitely help to prepare and optimize the next trials planned with system 2 by the end of this year. 1

UTOFIA System 1 tested on board a research and operation vessel In November and December 2016, AZTI also conducted sea trails with the UTOFIA system (prototype 1) in the Basque country.

This frame also allows for an adjustable tilt angle of the camera for optimal performance in variable conditions and applications such as trawling over the sea bottom to inspect benthic habitats, or

A topside box, developed by AZTI provided continuous communications with the camera through an Ethernet umbilical to a computer and operator.

On December 1st AZTI together with SINTEF s technical personnel conducted series of sea trials form a research vessel off the port of Pasaia.

2 UTOFIA System 1 tested on board a research and operation vessel In November and December 2016, AZTI also conducted sea trails with the UTOFIA system (prototype 1) in the Basque country. As part of these tests, a robust protection frame was developed by AZTI to protect the UTOFIA camera against accidental encounters with the seabed. This frame also allows for an adjustable tilt angle of the camera for optimal performance in variable conditions and applications such as trawling over the sea bottom to inspect benthic habitats, or in the water column. A Marport sensor fixed to the frame provided information on depth, roll and pitch providing feedback during operations. A topside box, developed by AZTI provided continuous communications with the camera through an Ethernet umbilical to a computer and operator. The first phase of the trials was conducted on land to integrate the camera, frame and topside box. On December 1st AZTI together with SINTEF s technical personnel conducted series of sea trials form a research vessel off the port of Pasaia. During these trials, the visibility in the water was very low and perfect for comparing UTOFIA s images and 3D data with the recordings from a standard underwater camera. The figure shows clearly how a chain submerged in the port is clearly visible with the UTOFIA system while completely invisible by the standard camera. From December 12th to December 16th additional sea trials were conducted along a transect through the Bilbao River, the port of Bilbao and out to the open sea. The system was tested at different depth levels, bottom structures and turbidity conditions. All the trial tracks were monitored by the means of GPS antenna integrated on the signal acquisition system (see figure). All the trials also had standard commercial cameras mounted on the front of the frame for comparison. The sea trials showed that the camera and frame performed well while being towed through the water, 2

particularly after some adjustments and flaps were added to improve stability. Pitch and roll of the towed frame mounted camera did not impact navigation or image acquisition.

clear-cut in clear waters with high ambient light. In terms of image clarity and extension of range, UTOFIA performs best in situations of high turbidity and artificial illumination.

3 particularly after some adjustments and flaps were added to improve stability. Pitch and roll of the towed frame mounted camera did not impact navigation or image acquisition. In the opinion of some independent external experts, while in poor visibility, low ambient light environments the UTOFIA camera provided clearer images than conventional cameras, this was not as clear-cut in clear waters with high ambient light. In terms of image clarity and extension of range, UTOFIA performs best in situations of high turbidity and artificial illumination. While for the sunlit sea trials conducted in Bilbao the extension of range was not well demonstrated, the experts did contend that under these conditions the 3D capability of UTOFIA system could still represent a considerable benefit. UTOFIA review in Marseilles: Excellent result The UTOFIA team convened at Subsea Tech's premises in Marseilles for mid-term review and a short demo of the system. The Commission s review report issued on basis on this review read the following: "[The] Project has fully achieved its objectives and milestones for the period. [...]The scientific and technical results from the project to date are of a high quality and consistent with the objectives in the DoA. [...] The project has the potential to make a significant impact on subsea/underwater inspection markets being targeted." The UTOFIA team is very grateful to the reviewers (Sara Blanc and Daniel McStay) and Project Officer (Alessio Bacchielli) for the positive feedback, and will be working further on implementing the constructive advice also contained in the report. Review in Marseilles on the sailing ship "Inga des Riaux". Reviewers, Project Officer and UTOFIA team. 3

Shining light on UTOFIA The broad application range of the UTOFIA camera with relevance to research, industry and policy is the subject of multiple knowledge and technology transfer Case Studies

4 Shining light on UTOFIA The broad application range of the UTOFIA camera with relevance to research, industry and policy is the subject of multiple knowledge and technology transfer Case Studies under the concurrent Horizon 2020 COLUMBUS project (Feb 2015-Feb 2018). As part of the same Blue Growth portfolio of calls, COLUMBUS partnership is made up of research (including DTU), non-profit organisations and SME s facilitating tech transfer along the lab-2-market spectrum. The partnership identifies knowledge outputs from past and concurrent projects, and applies its brokerage methodology to enhance and diversify the re-use and impact of EU-funded research output. The current Case Studies (refer to image) are the direct result of applying Columbus methodology to UTOFIA over the past 24 months. Examples at different level of maturity include: (1) transfer to offshore operators, initially with Maersk but also to target offshore operators in UK and Norway, (2) improving fishing gear selectivity, initially with Nephrops fisheries, (3) automating Nephrops Stock Assessment in collaboration with ICES Working Group WGNEPS, and (4) optimising harvest times in aquaculture through morphometric algorithm development. Details on the Case Studies as they mature, to follow in future newsletters. Contacts: Thomas Thøgersen & Ivo Grigorov (DTU-Aqua) 4

5 UTOFIA publications UTOFIA has been well represented on various web-pages. The coverage spans from local partner institutes (SINTEF, DTU) but also sites focussing on the marine environment, fisheries, engineering, Maritime structures and shipping. The Norwegian radio has also posted a story on UTOFIA. The figure shows examples of the where UTOFIA has featured. 5

The Oil & Gas Industry Requirements for Marine Robots of the 21st century

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