Key Features

• Large-Scale AUV Swarm Coordination

  • DESPOT enables the deployment and precise management of swarms composed of thousands of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), transforming underwater data collection and ocean observation.

• Sub-5 Meter Positioning Accuracy

  • The system delivers positioning accuracy of less than 5 meters, even at depths of up to 3,000 meters, ensuring reliable data and navigation in the vastness of the ocean.

• Deep-Sea Adaptability

  • DESPOT is engineered to operate effectively in deep-sea conditions, making it suitable for challenging environments where traditional methods fall short.

• Cost-Effective Navigation

  • Unlike current expensive and imprecise methods, DESPOT provides an economically viable solution for large-scale AUV operations, reducing both cost and complexity.

• Real-Time Guidance System

  • By combining a “deep base” connected to a surface ship with “Long Base Line” AUVs, the system offers real-time guidance and positioning for the entire swarm.

• Versatile Applications

  • DESPOT supports a wide range of uses, including energy exploration, defense, environmental monitoring, and scientific research, making it a flexible tool for various industries.

• Cutting-Edge Acoustic Technology

  • Seagnal’s advanced sonar and signal processing capabilities ensure robust underwater communication and tracking, critical for maintaining swarm cohesion and mission success.

• Collaborative Innovation

  • Developed by a consortium of experts—Arkeocean, Seagnal, and Bourbon Subsea Services—DESPOT integrates system design, underwater acoustics, and operational engineering for a comprehensive solution.

Seagnal’s Contribution

Seagnal brings its expertise in underwater acoustics, sonar, and real-time signal processing to the project. The company specializes in advanced signal processing and antenna applications, deploying solutions from analog signal conditioning to real-time processing on massively parallel architectures (FPGA/GPU). Seagnal’s know-how is critical for the development of DESPOT’s navigation system, ensuring reliable and accurate underwater communication and tracking for thousands of AUVs.

The DESPOT concept combines a “deep base” connected to a surface ship with “Long Base Line” AUVs, which guide and position the swarm. Seagnal’s technology enables the system to overcome the challenges of large-scale, precise, and cost-effective underwater navigation, making it possible to deploy AUV swarms for applications in energy, defense, and environmental monitoring.

DESPOT represents a significant leap forward in underwater exploration, and Seagnal’s involvement underscores its leadership in underwater acoustic technologies.