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Bluefin Robotics' Sandshark autonomous underwater vehicle at Sea-Air-Space 2015

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Sea-Air-Space 2015 - Bluefin Robotics Sandshark
 
 
 
Bluefin Robotics' Sandshark autonomous underwater vehicle at Sea-Air-Space 2015
 
During Sea-Air-Space 2015, Bluefin Robotics, part of Battelle Company, is showcasing a small, open-platform, autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) designed for developers, the Sandshark. SandShark combines a standardized low-cost tail with core vehicle systems, a large modular payload area, and an open development platform. This combination provides a flexible subsea “reference design” to support rapid technology development.
     
During Sea-Air-Space 2015, Bluefin Robotics, part of Batelle Company, is showcasing a small, open-platform, autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) designed for developers, the Sandshark. SandShark combines a standardized low-cost tail with core vehicle systems, a large modular payload area, and an open development platform. This combination provides a flexible subsea “reference design” to support rapid technology development.
Bluefin Robotics Sandshark AUV at SAS 2015
     
Uniquely, SandShark is built on open source software and allows end users to modify or replace all aspects of the vehicle’s software stack. The payload interface allows integration with a variety of open autonomy frameworks (ROS, MOAA, JAUS, MOOS, LCM) and software development environments (C++, Python, MATLAB). Its mast section features a WiFi Antenna, a GPS and Visible and Infrared Strobes

SandShark features a roomy payload bay, making up over half the vehicle, to accommodate a wide range of sensors and other components. SandShark is the ideal test platform for small low-power subsea sensors and scenarios.

It currently takes 10 years just to develop a new underwater military sensor.

Now with SandShark, a new Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) from Battelle and BlueFin Robotics, it's now possible to develop an underwater military sensor in just two years. How?

•It uses open source, not proprietary code, which allows researchers to test out code without having to build a new AUV from scratch – saving time and money.

•It's a reference design made for customization – all of the necessary parts of an AUV are in the back, so the front is free to be whatever you'd like – a sensor, a camera, etc.

•It's small and light - under 15 pounds. This means you can fit it in a suitcase and ship it anywhere without expensive transportation logistics.

•It's less expensive than other AUVs on the market, making it more accessible to more researchers and allowing for the possibility of swarming technology with multiple AUVs.

Currently, SandShark is in development and is slated to begin open water testing this summer.