Page 54: of Marine Technology Magazine (July 2012)

The Company The Company Kongsberg Maritime and subsidiary Hydroid are helping to change the way in which we explore the oceans with their full-picture HUGIN and Remote Environmental Measuring Units (REMUS) AUVs. These unmanned robots offer a nim- ble, ß exible alternative to traditional surface vessels that can glide along the surface, dive to deep depths, explore shallow waters or hover in hazardous areas where navigation is dif- Þ cult. Hydroid/Kongsberg AUVs have reduced the high costs of ocean exploration and sampling while increasing the avail- ability, quality and quantity of scientiÞ c marine data. Using Hydroid/Kongsberg AUVs for undersea mine reconnaissance has helped save lives by eliminating human divers from mine Þ elds, and the customizable robots have helped solve plane and ship disaster mysteries (including locating wreckage such as Air France Flight 447 and generating 3-D mapping of the Titanic). Perhaps most importantly, however, Hydroid/Kongs- berg AUVs offer scientists a new view on pressing global issues including climate change, the worldÕs declining Þ sh population and environmental disasters. Christopher von Alt brings unique talent to his position as President and co-founder of Hydroid. As the leader of the team that originally developed the REMUS AUV, von AltÕs knowledge of the intricate technology has been integral to the productsÕ development and widespread adoption. After years of fabricating and developing the REMUS vehicle as part of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), von Alt co-founded Hydroid Inc. in 2001, creating an inde- pendent company to commercially manufacture, support and further develop the REMUS systems. Since its inception, Hydroid has expanded and to support this growth, von Alt has staffed Hydroid with 87 full- and part-time employees who continuously strive for the highest level of product quality and support. This team is enhanced by the organizationÕs growing representative network, which provides local sales and support in nearly 30 countries around the globe. Major players in the maritime industry have recog- nized HydroidÕs immense success. In 2008 Hydroid was ac- quired by the Norwegian technology conglomerate Kongsberg Gruppen. In the 1980Õs Kongsberg developed a small AUV for technology and test purposes. In 1995 the HUGIN project was created in collaboration with Statoil, Norwegian Defense Research Establishment (FFI), Norsk Undervannsintervens- jon (NUI) and Kongsberg. Together, Kongsberg and Hydroid have deployed more than 300 systems to a variety of interna- tional customers in the defense, academic, government and commercial markets, the largest number of deployed AUVs in the market. Today HydroidÕs REMUS vehicles complement Kongsberg MaritimeÕs HUGIN AUVs, together offering a full suite of extreme solutions for extreme environments. The Tech The Tech HydroidÕs innovation is the REMUS AUV itselfÑthe vehicleÕs design as well as the engineering behind its constantly evolv- ing hardware and software technologies. The REMUS AUV is the culmination of 15 years of leading-edge R&D and boasts a proven track record for highly reliable and consistent Þ eld operations. REMUS AUVs are offered in three vehicle classes: The man-portable REMUS 100; the highly versatile, modular REMUS 600; and the REMUS 6000, a deep-water workhorse. All REMUS AUVs are built on a common and proven technol- ogy base incorporating the intuitive vehicle interface program (VIP); this keeps vehicle maintenance, mission planning, check- out, data analysis and cross-vehicle training seamless across the 6 Benjamin Nye Circle, 6 Benjamin Nye Circle, Pocasset, MA 02559 Pocasset, MA 02559 Tel: (508) 563-6565 Tel: (508) 563-6565 Email: lbandstra@ Email: [email protected] hydroid.com Website: www. Website: www. km.kongsberg.com/ km.kongsberg.com/ hydroid hydroid CEOCEO: Christopher von Alt Vice President of Operations: Vice President of Operations: Duane Fotheringham Director of Hydroid Europe: Director of Hydroid Europe: Graham Lester Marketing Manager: Marketing Manager: Lorna Bandstra Sales Manager: Sales Manager: Graham Lester Employees Employees: 87 HYDROID , INC.HYDROID , INC.54 MTRJuly/August 2012 MTR #6 (50-65).indd 54MTR #6 (50-65).indd 548/2/2012 10:16:29 AM8/2/2012 10:16:29 AM