​The Australian Government partners with AMC Search to develop Autonomous Underwater Vehicle technologies.

AMC Search, the Training and Consultancy Division of the Australian Maritime College, has been awarded $2.07m by the Australian Government to develop advanced sensor technologies for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV).

The funding will help Australia to develop a sovereign capability for the design and manufacture of a platform agnostic sensor module that can be used on the range of AUVs being operated by Defence now and into the future.

AUV’s are underwater robots capable of deploying remote sensors or data collection devices in close proximity to the seabed without the need for tethers or control wires to the surface. 

At the initial technology or capability demonstration phase, the innovation focuses on developing a prototype sensor module to house magnetic sensors and HD underwater cameras as well as a sonar based lateral track keeping system. 

This is AMC Search’s first contract with the Defence Innovation Hub.

“We are immensely proud in securing this investment from the Defence Innovation Hub as it represents recognition in the skills and expertise in autonomous maritime platforms at AMC Search”

“Developing the technologies into a commercial product will be good for AMC Search, but also for the local Tasmanian economy where the project and any future sales will be re-invested back into the community through employment and development opportunities” said Michael van Balen, AMC Principal.

“AMC Search has invested significant resources in autonomous maritime technologies, it is the preferred training provider for the Royal Australian Navy in the operation of AUVs and this funding will allow us to take the next step in the development of this sovereign capability for Australia”.

“The aim of this phase of the project is to design and test the technology leveraging support from Greenroom Robotics, Australia's leading robotics software company for the maritime sector”.

“If trials prove successful, our industry partner SYPAQ Systems Australia will provide advanced manufacturing support to help turn the prototype into a commercial product” said Chris White, AMC Search, Manager of Defence and Autonomous Systems.