Autonomous surface vehicle (USV)
An uncrewed, self-navigating vessel that operates on the ocean surface to collect data, conduct surveys or perform surveillance without a crew on board. Also called an uncrewed surface vessel. See the Scout USV.
USV vs AUV
A USV works on the surface, so it can use solar power for long endurance and stream data live over satellite. An AUV (autonomous underwater vehicle) operates subsea for shorter missions with limited communications. Scout bridges both, harvesting data from subsea instruments via an acoustic modem.
Persistent ocean monitoring
Continuous, long-duration ocean data collection over weeks or months, rather than episodic ship-based surveys. Solar-electric USVs make this affordable.
Maritime domain awareness (MDA)
Understanding of activity in the maritime domain that affects security, safety, the economy or the environment. USVs equipped with cameras, acoustics and AIS provide persistent maritime domain awareness.
Dark vessel detection
Identifying vessels that have disabled or are not transmitting AIS, using optical, acoustic and RF sensing, for maritime security and fisheries enforcement.
Metocean data collection
Measurement of meteorological and oceanographic conditions including wave height, period and direction, wind, sea surface temperature and atmospheric pressure, critical for offshore energy and shipping.
Subsea data harvesting
Retrieving data from seabed instruments or underwater vehicles using an acoustic modem, without divers or ROVs, and relaying it to shore by satellite.
Station keeping
Holding position within a defined area for long periods. Scout uses a virtual anchor: it drifts with the current to conserve power, then motors back to the centre point when it reaches the boundary.
Ocean data-as-a-service
Receiving ocean data on a subscription or per-mission basis without owning hardware. The provider operates the vehicles and delivers processed data via dashboard or API. See data-as-a-service.
Offshore wind farm monitoring
Environmental and operational monitoring around offshore wind installations, including marine mammal detection, metocean data and exclusion-zone vessel monitoring.
Research vessel charter alternative
Cost-effective autonomous alternatives to chartering crewed research vessels. Scout USV is roughly 200 times cheaper than ship-based data collection.
Environmental compliance monitoring
Continuous or periodic monitoring required by regulation for offshore activities such as wind farm construction, oil and gas operations and marine protected areas.