IMWTS26 FTS we 1520

Introduction to UC's Maritime Technologies

Overview of the Company

• Kiran Mcdermus introduces himself as the founding engineer and lead electronic team lead at UC's Maritime Technologies, focusing on underwater vehicles for commercial and defense applications.

• The company was founded in Dublin in 2023, primarily developing underwater vehicles for ecosystem restoration and mine countermeasures.

• Based in San Francisco, the company has raised approximately $48 million in Series A funding and employs around 30 full-time staff.

Underwater Vehicle Capabilities

• The sixth generation of their underwater vehicle is currently under development, with hundreds of hours of operational time logged.

• Active contracts include collaborations with the Marine Mammal Program and the Office of Naval Research for projects involving acoustic technologies.

Product Offerings: Modular Underwater Vehicles

Features of the MO Vehicle

• The MO is a fully modular autonomous underwater vehicle designed for various tasks including mine countermeasures.

• It can be configured quickly (10–15 minutes), allowing adaptability to different mission requirements.

Modularity Components

• Key modules include:

• Vision Module: Equipped with stereo cameras for enhanced imaging.

• Battery Module: Chemistry agnostic, allowing flexibility in battery types to extend range.

• Brain Module: Houses control electronics necessary for operation.

Operational Efficiency in Mine Countermeasures

Survey Process

• Current operations involve significant operator involvement; however, automation aims to reduce this burden by enabling more autonomous data collection and analysis.

• The survey phase utilizes endurance versions equipped with sonar modules to scan areas efficiently without needing frequent retrieval from water.

Neutralization Strategy

• The system allows operators to neutralize targets remotely using a heavy lift mechanism that deploys payload directly onto identified mines.

Sensor Integration and Cost Advantages

Sensor Compatibility

• The vehicles can interface with a wide range of sensors available on the market through a custom universal interface module designed for easy integration.

Cost Efficiency

• Base models start at approximately $50k compared to traditional UV costs ranging from $1 million to $4 million, enabling fleets rather than single units for broader coverage.

Advanced Computing Capabilities

Onboard Processing Power

• Unlike typical UV systems that rely on less powerful processors, these vehicles incorporate high-performance GPUs facilitating advanced target recognition onboard without needing surface processing delays.

Autonomous Launch and Recovery System (Kraken)

Functionality Overview

• Kraken serves as an autonomous launch and recovery system that enhances operational efficiency by deploying or recovering vehicles without human intervention.

Manufacturing Strategies

In-House Production Goals

• Currently producing about 80% of components domestically, aiming to increase this figure to 95% by next year through custom motor development and battery production.

Conclusion & Future Directions

Summary Insights

• UC's Maritime Technologies aims to accelerate mine countermeasure timelines through modularity, autonomy, cost reduction, and robust manufacturing capabilities while ensuring safety by minimizing human exposure during operations.

Exploring AUV Capabilities and Mission Programming

Overview of AUV Payloads and Functionality

• Discussion on the potential for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) to assess damage post-explosion using onboard cameras.

• Mention of "ball droppers" as a payload mechanism, indicating a need for user input in payload deployment.

Mission Programming Interface

• Introduction of proprietary software called Trident, which features a simple interface for mission programming.

• Users can set mission parameters by selecting positions on a map and defining depth and mission profiles.

Demonstrations and Customer Engagement

• The company is actively demonstrating their systems but does not have public demonstrations planned at this time.

• Current collaborations include projects with the Marine M program and the Office of Naval Research, highlighting diverse customer engagement across the US, Australia, and other regions.

Modularity and Stability in AUV Design

• Assurance that new modules are designed to be neutrally buoyant, ensuring stability regardless of configuration.

• Importance of buoyancy control emphasized due to limited thruster power; external weights are used for fine-tuning adjustments.

Presentation Skills Recognition

• Acknowledgment of the presenter's competence and confidence, noting their performance alongside another individual as impressive.

• Conclusion with applause for an engaging presentation, reinforcing positive feedback on communication skills.