Underwater robot promises to autonomously reduce biofouling on ships
Marie Donlon | February 12, 2024ScrubMarine, a marine sector startup, has developed an underwater robot designed to eliminate biofouling — which is the accumulation of microorganisms, plants and algae — on marine vessels.
To eradicate this threat to hull structures and propulsion systems, ScrubMarine's underwater robot autonomously cleans and prevents biofouling, which can reportedly lead to increased drag of up to 60%, and subsequently result in a 40% surge in fuel consumption.
Source: Co-lab Engineering
The researchers suggest that ScrubMarine promises to cut fuel costs, reduce maintenance needs and minimize environmental impact for ships, boats and submarines.
ScrubMarine's autonomous underwater robot is set undergo a six-month pilot program with experts from Heriot-Watt University who expect to simultaneously develop the navigation and control systems needed for further real-world application.