Leonard Günzel, a PhD candidate at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), is spearheading a project that could revolutionize the way underwater drones operate. The goal? To make Blueye ROVs autonomous, cutting the tether that currently connects them to the surface unit. This isn’t just about making things wireless; it’s about unlocking new possibilities for underwater operations.
Currently, Blueye ROVs rely on a tether for fast, stable, and reliable communication. This tether ensures real-time data transmission, allowing operators to control the drone’s direction, speed, and camera angle with precision. It’s a simple setup, mobile and flexible, and it provides a safety net—if the connection is lost, the ROV can be manually retrieved. But what if we could do away with the tether entirely?
Günzel and his team have been working on this very idea. They’ve completed their first successful field operation in the Trondheim fjord, demonstrating that a compact ROV like the Blueye X3 can operate autonomously. This is a significant step forward, paving the way for more efficient, cost-effective, and capable underwater drones.
The project involves more than just the drone itself. It also requires developing the necessary infrastructure for long-term autonomous operations. The drone must be able to navigate accurately over distances ranging from 100 to 500 meters and return to a docking station on the seafloor. To achieve this, the team is using a USBL system (Ultra-Short Baseline), which communicates with a modem on the AUV.
Günzel emphasizes the importance of direct integration with the drone’s control system. “Universities, researchers, and system integrators may need to embed the drone into larger systems or control it through third-party software,” he explains. To support such use cases, Blueye provides an access point for control—the Blueye SDK. This open-source tool enables developers and students to build custom control algorithms, automate missions, and explore new applications for underwater robotics.
The project team hopes this work will lay the foundation for future research. Günzel is particularly excited about exploring situational awareness and perception. “The next semester, we aim to finally cut the tether for good,” he says.
This project is part of the SAFEGUARD initiative and builds on years of research and development at NTNU. The NTNU VISTA Center for Autonomous Robotics Operations Subsea (CAROS) has played a central role in developing the necessary infrastructure and support systems.
So, what does this mean for the future of the maritime industry? Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) could make missions more efficient and cost-effective, capable of operating in challenging environments for extended periods without constant human supervision. This could open up new possibilities for underwater surveys, infrastructure inspections, and more.
But it’s not just about the technology. As Günzel points out, it’s also about the community. By providing open-source tools and encouraging collaboration, this project could spark innovation and drive the industry forward. It’s a reminder that progress isn’t just about cutting-edge technology; it’s about the people who use it and the ideas they bring to the table.
In the end, this project is about more than just making ROVs autonomous. It’s about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in underwater robotics and inspiring the next generation of innovators. And that’s something worth getting excited about.