An underwater drone for inspection and cleaning
Australian start-up Hullbot has been working on an underwater drone project since 2016. In operation since 2019 in Australia, it intends to deploy its robots more widely.
The Hullbot has two main functions.
Using its cameras, the drone records the geometry of the hull. A 3D model of the hull bottom can then be established. Tom Loefler, co-founder of Hullbot, explains: "Then we can compare the hull condition with the first model and simply carry out a hull inspection, rather than calling in a diver. "As for the latter, it's best to ensure that the water transparency is correct.
The Hullbot doesn't just film the hull. Using brushes mounted on mobile arms, the Hullbot also cleans the hull. This reduces the need for antifouling, and prevents the spread of invasive species through regular cleaning. To suit different boat shapes and sizes, Hullbot has developed various brush types.
Maintaining boat rental fleets
The company is looking to widely deploy its fleet of underwater drones, more than a dozen of which are already active in Australia. In particular, it is targeting boat rental fleet operators. For reasons of environmental protection, some are forced to call on divers on a regular basis, at considerable cost.
Depending on requirements, Hullbot offers its robots for rental or purchase. The founder emphasizes: "When the boats are returned, the robot can compare them with the basic model and see if there has been any damage during the rental period. It then washes the hull. In the event of a problem, our team of technicians can operate the drone remotely and resolve any issues."
