Inertial solutions for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles – AUV

Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) are robotic systems designed to operate underwater without human intervention. They are used for a range of applications, from scientific research to military operations.
AUVs operate without requiring real-time input or guidance from a human operator. They are capable of executing predefined missions based on pre-programmed instructions or real-time inputs.
Our Inertial Navigation Systems play a critical role in the operation of an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) by enabling accurate navigation and positioning in environments where GNSS signals are unavailable.

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AUVs’ Attitude and Heading Reference System

Our sensors are designed for seamless integration into your autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), ensuring continuous collection and real-time transmission of data on roll, pitch, and magnetic-based heading.
This data is crucial for accurately determining the AUV’s orientation and ensuring stability during underwater missions, allowing for precise navigation and control in challenging underwater environments.
Attitude and Heading Reference Systems (AHRS) are vital in ensuring that AUVs can maintain accurate orientation and heading during their missions. We developed an AHRS that combines data from accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers to determine the AUV’s attitude (pitch, roll, and yaw) in real time. This continuous feed of orientation data is crucial for autonomous vehicles operating underwater, where traditional GNSS systems cannot provide reliable positioning.

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Externally-aided INS solution for AUVs

Our externally-aided INS solution provides comprehensive roll, pitch, heading, and heave data, along with precise navigation when paired with external positioning solutions.
Additionally, our products are of compact size and cost efficient, making high-performance inertial sensors relevant where size matter.
Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) play a key role in AUVs by enabling precise navigation in GNSS-denied environments. Our INS sensors combine data from gyroscopes, accelerometers, and sometimes magnetometers to provide continuous information about the vehicle’s velocity, position, and orientation. Our INS solutions allow AUVs to track their path accurately even in deep-sea environments where traditional satellite-based navigation signals are unavailable.

Motion and navigation systems for AUV

In AUV applications, AHRS ensures that the vehicle can stabilize itself in turbulent waters, navigate accurately, and adjust its motion according to the changing underwater environment. For example, AUVs used in seabed mapping rely on precise attitude data to maintain a stable platform for their sonar or other sensors. Without accurate attitude information, the vehicle’s data collection could be compromised, leading to errors in mapping or inspection tasks.
For underwater survey missions, INS is particularly valuable. It helps AUVs calculate their trajectory over time, allowing operators to execute precise mapping or monitoring tasks. With its ability to provide real-time feedback on position and motion, INS is critical for navigating through complex underwater terrain and avoiding obstacles like underwater structures, wreckage, or natural formations.

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Our strengths

Our inertial navigation systems offer several advantages for autonomous underwater vehicles, including:

Accurate navigation without GNSS Delivers precise positioning and orientation data in GNSS-denied underwater environments.
Integration with underwater sensors Integrates smoothly with sonar, Doppler Velocity Logs (DVL), and other underwater sensors.
Robust in harsh marine conditions Engineered to withstand extreme temperature and vibrations.
Energy-efficient design Low power consumption for extended mission durations and battery life.

Our solutions for AUVs

Equip your AUVs with our inertial solutions, designed for maximum precision in underwater environments. Whether for exploration, research, or defense, our systems deliver exceptional accuracy and durability, ensuring successful missions every time.

Pulse 40 IMU Unit Checkmedia Right

Pulse-40

Pulse-40 IMU is ideal for critical applications. Make no compromise between size, performance, and reliability.
Tactical grade IMU 0.08°/√h noise gyro 6µg accelerometers 12-gram, 0.3 W
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Ellipse A AHRS Unit Right

Ellipse-A

Ellipse-A delivers high-performance orientation and heave in a cost-effective AHRS, with precise magnetic calibration and robust temperature tolerance.
AHRS 0.8 ° Heading (Magnetic) 5 cm Heave 0.1 ° Roll and Pitch
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Ellipse E INS Unit Right

Ellipse-E

Ellipse-E offers precise navigation by integrating with external GNSS and sensors, delivering roll, pitch, heading, heave, and position data.
INS External GNSS 0.05 ° Roll & Pitch 0.2 ° Heading
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Ellipse N INS Unit Right

Ellipse-N

Ellipse-N is a compact, high-performance single antenna GNSS offering precise centimeter-level positioning and robust navigation.
INS Single Antenna RTK GNSS 0.05 ° Roll & Pitch 0.2 ° Heading
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Ellipse D INS Unit Right

Ellipse-D

Ellipse-D is the smallest Inertial Navigation System with dual-antenna GNSS, offering precise heading and centimeter-level accuracy in any condition.
INS Dual Antenna RTK INS 0.05 ° Roll and Pitch 0.2 ° Heading
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Ekinox Micro INS Unit Right

Ekinox Micro

Ekinox Micro is a compact, high-performance INS with dual-antenna GNSS, delivering unmatched accuracy and reliability in mission-critical applications.
INS Internal GNSS single/dual antenna 0.015 ° Roll and Pitch 0.05 ° Heading
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Download our leaflet

Our brochures present comprehensive information about our cutting-edge navigation systems engineered to provide remarkable accuracy and reliability for autonomous underwater vehicles.

Case studies

SBG Systems has partnered with leading companies across various industries to deliver high-performance inertial solutions their applications. Our case studies showcase the success stories of projects where our technology played a pivotal role in navigation.

Chalmers

Formula Student Driverless – Chalmers Team to Choose SBG INS GNSS

Self-driving car

Chalmers Formula Car
Yellowscan

Perfect accuracy and efficiency in LiDAR mapping with Quanta Micro

LiDAR mapping

Yellowscan Chooses Quanta Micro UAV
Leo Drive

Ellipse powers autonomous vehicles innovation

Autonomous vehicles navigation

Leo Drives Test Autonomous Car
See all our case studies

They talk about us

Hear first hand, from the innovators and clients who have adopted our technology.

Their testimonials and success stories illustrate the significant impact our sensors have in practical autonomous vehicles applications.

University of Waterloo
“Ellipse-D from SBG Systems was easy to use, very accurate, and stable, with a small form factor—all of which were essential for our WATonoTruck development.”
Amir K, Professor and Director
Fraunhofer IOSB
“Autonomous large-scale robots will revolutionize the construction industry in the near future.”
ITER Systems
“We were looking for a compact, precise and cost-effective inertial navigation system. SBG Systems’ INS was the perfect match.”
David M, CEO

Do you have questions?

Our FAQ section covers the most common questions about mobile mapping systems, including information about the technologies involved, best practices, and how to integrate our products into your solutions.

What is the difference between AUV and ROV?

The main difference between an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) and a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) lies in their control and operation. AUVs are autonomous, operating without a direct human operator, pre-programmed to follow specific missions. Battery-powered and untethered, AUVs offer freedom of movement, making them ideal for tasks such as seafloor mapping and environmental monitoring.

 

AUVs can cover vast distances due to their autonomy. ROVs, on the other hand, are controlled by operators via a tether that connects them to a ship or platform. This tether provides power and communication but limits their range, making ROVs ideal for underwater inspections and repairs requiring real-time control.