Ocius BlueBottle USV to be demonstrated in the United States

Australian autonomous uncrewed vessel developer Ocius Technology and US maritime technology firm ThayerMahan Inc have announced they will collaborate to demonstrate a powerful new capability at the AUVSI XPONENTIAL event running from 23 to 25 April off San Diego, California.

The collaboration places ThayerMahan’s Outpost system of acoustic sensors and digital signal processing aboard Ocius’ Bluebottle Unmanned Surface Vessel.

It leverages ThayerMahan’s expertise in deploying sophisticated low power acoustic sensors and advanced, AI-enabled acoustic processing with Ocius’ expertise in providing rugged, long-dwell autonomous vehicles that harvest wind, solar, and wave energy to drive a hull derived from Australia’s world-class sailboat racing designs.

Ocius CEO Robert Dane said: “Ocius USV expertise and ThayerMahan sensing expertise are a winning combination. We look forward to working together off San Diego at the AUVSI XPONENTIAL event April 23-25.”

The 18 foot Bluebottle USV, developed as part of a $3 million Defence innovation contract, is in service with the Royal Australian Navy and has successfully identified and navigated around surface vessels such as speed boats in trials off the NSW coast, and maintained speed in various sea conditions.

Bluebottle is normally powered by the waves which operate an underwater ‘flipper’, though the boat is equipped with a back up propeller.

ThayerMahan CEO Mike Connor said: “The speed, manouverability, and seakeeping characteristics of the Bluebottle USV will allow us to maximise the performance of our sensors.”

Further reading:
First Ocius naval vessels received by Navy

Picture: Ocius