IQUA Robotics

IQUA Robotics is a developer of innovative underwater exploration, mapping and inspection solutions based around cutting-edge autonomy and sensing technologies. Our hovering AUVs (autonomous underwater vehicles) and supporting products can be tailored toward a broad range of customer requirements in the scientific research, industrial, and security and defense sectors.

Founded in 2016 as a spin-off from the University of Girona, we have a strong pedigree in research and development, and are committed to continuous improvement and innovation. We have participated in a number of EU-funded projects covering issues such as cooperative seabed mapping, wind farm inspection, mine and UXO identification and underwater CO2 monitoring.

Our Products

SPARUS II

Small hovering AUV for high-accuracy mapping, surveying & inspection

SPARUS II is a versatile and compact AUV platform that can be adapted to a variety of different requirements for underwater missions at depths of down to 200 meters. With a highly hydrodynamic hull design, it offers excellent stability at slow speeds, precise turning capabilities and partial hovering in place, and can be easily deployed and operated by a two-person crew.

The open system and ROS-based software architecture allow users to integrate a wide range of payloads, sensors and operating functions, providing a truly future-proof platform that can be tailored to changing requirements. Featuring an acoustic modem, a surface WiFi buoy for real-time sensor data exchange in shallow waters, and a long-range RF controller for reliable control and communication, it can be equipped with a number of different INS options from MEMS-based through to high-grade FOG systems.

More information: SPARUS II Small hovering AUV

GIRONA 500

Medium-sized hovering AUV for complex payload deployment

GIRONA 500 is a flexible high-stability AUV platform designed for the most challenging mapping and inspection applications at depths of down to 500 meters. Able to host the most complex payloads and sensors, it features a 35-liter payload bay within the lower hull, and can be equipped with a number of different INS options from MEMS-based through to high-grade FOG systems.

The vehicle utilizes a unique and highly hydrodynamic three-body hull design, and can be powered by up to six thrusters across three axes for accurate full hovering capabilities. Requiring just two persons for all operations, it can be easily deployed and recovered via a support vessel with a crane or A-frame.

GIRONA 500’s open system and ROS-based software architecture ensure robust future-proofing and easy upgradability to keep pace with evolving requirements.

More information: GIRONA 500 hovering AUV

Soundtiles

Advanced mapping software for forward-looking sonars

Soundtiles is a powerful software package for Windows and Linux that utilizes forward-looking sonar imagery to automatically generate underwater acoustic mosaics with enhanced resolution and signal-to-noise ratio. Ideal for a variety of industrial, scientific and defense applications, these mosaics provide comprehensive overviews of the surveyed area and enable easy interpretation of the scene.

The intuitive software provides an easy-to-use wizard that guides users every step of the way from project creation to mosaic generation. Generated mosaics can be exported in a number of common image formats, including georeferenced .tif files that can be opened in any GIS software. Soundtiles can also export video files that show the incremental rendering of the map.