Next-Generation Penguin-Inspired AUV

EvoLogics, a high-tech supplier of underwater robotics, data networking, positioning, and sensor technologies based in Berlin, proudly announces the launch of the next-generation Quadroin AUV.

Originally introduced in May 2021, the Quadroin AUV gained attention for its unique penguin-inspired design. This highly maneuverable AUV leverages EvoLogics’ expertise in low-drag biomimetic designs, making it ideal for monitoring and surveying applications.

Biomimetic Design for Superior Hydrodynamics

Dr. Rudolf Bannasch, founder of EvoLogics, has been researching Adélie penguins and their highly efficient swimming mechanisms since the 1980s. His work included multiple expeditions to Antarctica and extensive wind tunnel and water tank experiments. By mimicking the penguin’s streamlined shape and profile, EvoLogics developed an innovative spindle-shaped, protrusion-free design, providing the AUV with exceptional hydrodynamic properties and achieving ultra-low drag coefficients in water.

Powered by four tail-mounted thrusters, the Quadroin AUV benefits from its low-drag structure, enabling superior hydrodynamic efficiency and maneuverability. It can reach speeds of up to 10 knots while maintaining exceptional energy efficiency, making it suitable for multi-purpose deployments.

Proven Capabilities in Ocean Monitoring

The initial Quadroin prototypes were developed in collaboration with Hereon as part of the Helmholtz Association’s MOSES project, primarily for monitoring ocean eddies. These AUVs were equipped with sensors for georeferenced data collection at varying depths, measuring key physical water parameters such as temperature, pressure, oxygen concentration, conductivity, and fluorescence.

The first real-world application involved a swarm of up to 10 Quadroin AUVs, designed by EvoLogics in collaboration with Professor Burkard Baschek during his tenure at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon. This swarm was deployed to monitor currents and nutrient fluxes within ocean eddies. To achieve this, the Quadroin AUVs were outfitted with custom multi-parameter probes developed by Sea & Sun Technology. The AUVs were also trained to perform coordinated formation flights, sequentially scanning different water depths.

Enhanced Capabilities in the Next-Generation Quadroin AUV

The new generation of Quadroin AUVs now supports a greater instrument payload, expanding its capabilities beyond oceanographic monitoring.

· Side-scan sonar enables seafloor acoustic imaging.

· Two full-HD underwater cameras provide visual recognition of the surrounding environment. One camera is angled forward at 45°, while the other is downward-facing. Both cameras are equipped with adjustable LED lighting for enhanced visibility.

· The EvoLogics AI-driven target recognition module now allows real-time object detection in side-scan sonar imagery and video feeds, processed directly on the AUV.

· The system also features forward-looking sonar for autonomous collision avoidance.

Upgraded Navigation and Propulsion System

The Quadroin AUV’s hardware and propulsion system have been redesigned with next-generation components for optimized performance. It now integrates the Nortek Nucleus1000 underwater navigation package, which combines Norwegian company Nortek’s Doppler Velocity Log (DVL) technology with additional position-aiding sensors, ensuring reliable vehicle control during missions.