Following 18 months of research, development and trials, Ocean Infinity has tested new, advanced battery technology for AUVs.

Ocean Infinity says that its new 6000 meter pressure tolerant batteries provide the company’s HUGIN AUVs with greater endurance and efficiency, allowing missions to be conducted across a period of more than four days without having to change the battery.

In combination with Ocean Infinity’s multi-AUV operation, the technology also increases the possible survey range to nearly 700 kilometers per AUV, providing the industry with a “revolutionary survey platform offering,” according to the company.

“This week’s test results mark a milestone achievement. Our new, ground-breaking battery technology has effectively doubled the vehicles’ endurance and capacity to collect data in a single deployment,” says Josh Broussard, Ocean Infinity’s chief technical officer.

“We now have the capability to conduct AUV missions of over 4 days duration without the need for a battery recharge or change out.”

This work was conducted in collaboration with Kraken Robotics, which produces and sales software-centric sensors, pressure tolerant batteries, underwater robotic systems and data analytics as a service.

“Kraken was excited by the opportunity to work with OI to develop new batteries for their vehicles,” explains David Shea, Kraken’s Senior VP Engineering.

“Our objective was to deliver a drop-in solution for the OI HUGIN AUVs, and we achieved our objectives to enable over 100 hours operational endurance in a single charge.”