Greensea IQ has released an Autonomous Tether Management System (TMS) designed to automate tether handling for inspection-class Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs).
Integrated with Greensea IQ’s ROV autonomy software, the portable unit maintains proper tether tension without slack throughout a mission and autonomously handles tether launch and recovery. By reducing field supervision requirements, the system allows a single local or remote operator to operate a tethered ROV system.
The production release follows four years of development and testing, including a prototype that was demonstrated to and evaluated by the U.S. Navy. In line with Greensea IQ’s open-architecture approach, the TMS can be paired with the company’s Safe C2 system for over-the-horizon operations, allowing crews to oversee missions remotely.
Ben Kinnaman, CEO of Greensea IQ, said, “ROVs with autonomy software are ready to be deployed in unmanned operations, but managing the tether remains a major operational hurdle. This autonomous tether management system solves that problem. We can now deploy ROVs from unmanned assets and in unmanned configurations with complete reliability and assurance that managing the tether will not be a limiting factor. EverClean is the immediate beneficiary of this product, and it has already contributed to safer and more efficient operations.”
The system is already deployed in support of Greensea IQ’s EverClean autonomous hull cleaning and inspection system.
Greensea IQ plans to deploy the TMS next in support of unmanned Mine Countermeasures (MCM) operations. The system is designed with flexible, portable configurations for integration into lightweight Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs), supporting joint unmanned operations.
