ForSystem presents ForSurvey, a multifunctional unmanned hydrographic and survey platform. Our drone has a flexible configuration that allows to expand the payload and easily transfer the equipment set to another type of carrier.
We present you a new ForSystems development - a universal drone platform. The development is based on the versatility of the solution in two different directions - expansion of the technical means that represent the payload depending on the tasks to be solved and the possibility of easy transfer of the assembled ready-made solution to the carrier most suitable for the required operating conditions.
The prototype of this platform, the ForSurvey crewless boat, was designed as compact as possible to ensure its convenient delivery to the test sites. The entire ForSurvey kit fits easily into the boot of a crossover vehicle. Despite its compactness (length 1200 mm, width 900 mm, height 500 mm) and light weight (32 kg), ForSurvey can operate at a cruising speed of at least 5 km/h for 8 hours. The presence of two quick-change replaceable batteries in the kit allows to provide operation for 16 hours. The exterior of the boat is shown in Picture 1.
In the basic configuration ForSurvey is equipped with a single-beam hydrographic echo sounder, GNSS-receiver working in RTK-mode and performing the functions of GNSS-compass, high-resolution video camera with a 360-degree view, a set of two rechargeable batteries. Additionally, ForSurvey can be equipped with an integrated hydroacoustic module including ForScan side-scan sonar and ForBathy echo sounder, other models of sonars, multibeam echo sounder (MBE), sounder, circular sonar, current velocity profiler (ADCP), laser scanning system, etc. The ability to process and transmit data from such devices is inherent in the architecture of the electronic unit and the data transmission channel.
Information from all equipment operating on board is recorded with maximum quality on a hard disc. The data stream necessary for equipment operation control is transmitted to the shore via the communication channel. At the same time the possibility of communication channel allows transmitting data from GNSS, echo sounder, SSS or MLE, video camera to the shore.
The hull of the boat is a catamaran with floats, which are at the same time buoyancy elements, the electronics unit is located in a strong hermetic case, which, together, ensures the safety of the boat in case of possible damage to the hull. The engine is located in a hydrodynamic channel protected by grids, which allows to protect them from debris ingress and failure. The configuration of the hull and propulsion system is shown in Picture 2.
The prototype of this platform, the ForSurvey crewless boat, was designed as compact as possible to ensure its convenient delivery to the test sites. The entire ForSurvey kit fits easily into the boot of a crossover vehicle. Despite its compactness (length 1200 mm, width 900 mm, height 500 mm) and light weight (32 kg), ForSurvey can operate at a cruising speed of at least 5 km/h for 8 hours. The presence of two quick-change replaceable batteries in the kit allows to provide operation for 16 hours. The exterior of the boat is shown in Picture 1.
In the basic configuration ForSurvey is equipped with a single-beam hydrographic echo sounder, GNSS-receiver working in RTK-mode and performing the functions of GNSS-compass, high-resolution video camera with a 360-degree view, a set of two rechargeable batteries. Additionally, ForSurvey can be equipped with an integrated hydroacoustic module including ForScan side-scan sonar and ForBathy echo sounder, other models of sonars, multibeam echo sounder (MBE), sounder, circular sonar, current velocity profiler (ADCP), laser scanning system, etc. The ability to process and transmit data from such devices is inherent in the architecture of the electronic unit and the data transmission channel.
Information from all equipment operating on board is recorded with maximum quality on a hard disc. The data stream necessary for equipment operation control is transmitted to the shore via the communication channel. At the same time the possibility of communication channel allows transmitting data from GNSS, echo sounder, SSS or MLE, video camera to the shore.
The hull of the boat is a catamaran with floats, which are at the same time buoyancy elements, the electronics unit is located in a strong hermetic case, which, together, ensures the safety of the boat in case of possible damage to the hull. The engine is located in a hydrodynamic channel protected by grids, which allows to protect them from debris ingress and failure. The configuration of the hull and propulsion system is shown in Picture 2.
Multifunctional unmanned platform
ForSurvey.
During the 2022 navigation season and early 2023 navigation season, ForSurvey underwent trial operations on numerous bodies of water in a variety of weather conditions.
Due to the fact that the complex includes not only ForSurvey, but also software for survey planning, work support, manual and autopilot control (Picture 3), the materials obtained as a result of the tests were promptly processed and used to build bathymetric maps and charts. Directly in the process of work, the depth information was displayed on the screen of the operator's ARM on the shore, which allows the operator to promptly assess the bottom relief in the survey area. The information displayed on the operator's monitor directly during the survey in the water area of the approach channel of the lock is shown in Picture 4.
Due to the fact that the complex includes not only ForSurvey, but also software for survey planning, work support, manual and autopilot control (Picture 3), the materials obtained as a result of the tests were promptly processed and used to build bathymetric maps and charts. Directly in the process of work, the depth information was displayed on the screen of the operator's ARM on the shore, which allows the operator to promptly assess the bottom relief in the survey area. The information displayed on the operator's monitor directly during the survey in the water area of the approach channel of the lock is shown in Picture 4.
In the forthcoming season it is planned to improve this model and to produce a larger-sized model designed to work in offshore areas and to perform not only hydrographic tasks, but also a wide range of related tasks.