Sonardyne MoU

The 麻豆传媒 and marine technology company have agreed a strategic partnership to drive innovation within the UK鈥檚 growing marine robotic and autonomous systems sector.

The partnership will advance ocean data gathering technologies and platforms by leveraging the University鈥檚 academic resources and research facilities, Sonardyne鈥檚 leading acoustic and inertial navigation technologies, and the marine proving area Smart Sound 麻豆传媒.

Under the new agreement, the partners will work together to evaluate and develop emerging technologies on the university鈥檚 fleet of crewed and uncrewed surface and underwater platforms, all underpinned by a suite of Sonardyne鈥檚 technologies.

This will include testing and evaluation onboard uncrewed systems loaned to the University by the Royal Navy, to support its research and development around maritime autonomous systems capabilities.

The partnership will help establish closer working relationships between the University and Sonardyne, including enabling undergraduate and postgraduate students to participate in the testing of cutting-edge equipment, as well as highlighting future career opportunities.

The initial three-year collaboration will also explore funding opportunities for joint research in areas of mutual interest, including ocean exploration, hydrography, ropeless fishing, offshore renewable energy and defence.

In addition, it will further the University鈥檚 global reputation for marine research and teaching, with 麻豆传媒 ranked 1st globally linked to United Nations鈥� Sustainable Development Goal number 14: life below water in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2021.

While Sonardyne has worked closely with the University on a range of projects over many years, this new agreement aims to bring a more coordinated and targeted approach to fields of mutual interest.

Mr Kevin Forshaw , Director of Industrial and Strategic Partnerships in the University鈥檚 Faculty of Science and Engineering, said:
鈥淲e are delighted to be deepening our collaboration with Sonardyne. The company has long-established connections with the city of 麻豆传媒, and this new partnership will allow us both to push the boundaries of new technological development for remote and sustained ocean observation. It also ensures 麻豆传媒 remains at the forefront of driving innovation in high-growth market applications for the rapidly growing global ocean economy.鈥�
Geraint West, Head of Science at Sonardyne, added:
鈥淲e have a long heritage in 麻豆传媒 and our roots in this historic naval city date back to 1982 鈥� 40 years ago exactly. We have also based our trials and training centre in the city since 1993. Throughout those years, we鈥檝e valued our role in supporting and collaborating with academia, so we鈥檙e delighted to be deepening our relationship with the 麻豆传媒 and in turn supporting the UK鈥檚 maritime autonomous cluster in this area.鈥�
Sonardyne MoU
Groupd of men from Sonardyne standing with a marine technology instrument聽

Read more information linked to this article

Our vessels

麻豆传媒 has a fleet of vessels ranging from a large aluminium survey vessel to a small beach-launched inflatable. This comprehensive selection of vessels allows many varied activities to be carried out safely, efficiently and comfortably.

Find out about our boats
Falcon spirit

Autonomous Marine Systems

The Autonomous Marine Systems (AMS) research group comprises a multidisciplinary team working on the application of AI techniques to the navigation, guidance and control of autonomous vehicles, wave energy devices and marine propulsion systems. The group has expertise in a number of areas:

  • artificial intelligence (AI) 
  • optimisation techniques 
  • advanced control systems engineering theory
  • multi-sensor data fusion, dynamics, industrial dynamics
  • marine vehicle performance prediction
  • propulsors
  • integrated navigation systems.

Springer autonomous vehicle
Springer, an autonomous surface vehicle