1. Underwater Robotics and Imaging
PicSea
Underwater Robotics and Imaging

2. What is PicSea about?
Developing underwater imaging robots to create underwater 3D photorealistic maps
Moving accessibly of the worlds oceans from a few with the resources to the many that need to analyse and explore it.
Empowering people to explore, mange and protect the wealth of resources and unexplored worlds in our oceans.

3. What are the problems that PicSea is solving?
Currently collecting imaging data from the ocean is:
Expensive – By reinventing the design of underwater robots PicSea will reduce the cost of collecting underwater imaging data by a factor of 100’s – 1000’s.
Time consuming – It currently takes huge amounts of time to collect even small amounts of data. By reducing the cost of individual robots and removing the necessity to monitor them continually they can operate in large numbers to get the job done quickly.

4. How will PicSea do this?
Developing easily portable and deployable underwater robots that can build large scale ‘google-earth-like’ 3D photorealistic maps.
Can be deployed individually by the user to get data from a specific area or deployed from boats or aeroplanes.
Designed to be perpetually deployed for months or years and can recharge on the surface.
Can work in a network of 1000’s with a combination of satellite and mobile data collaboratively to build large scale maps.

5. 3 Stage Plan
Stage 1 - Produce a 150m rated low cost (10x less than anything currently available) robot that is ready for sale and can be deployed by the user.
Stage 2 - Produce a full ocean depth version, up to 6000m (can reach most of the world's ocean floor). This robot will be unlike anything available in terms of price, capabilities and ease of use.
Stage 3 - Find sponsor / governmental / industrial body to sponsor large scale survey and retain some rights to the data. Release data in ‘google earth’ model where a low resolution / limited version is available publicly to view and charge for commercial and governmental use.

6. Where Is PicSea at?
Currently at the Stage 1 Prototype. There are circuit boards and prototype parts coming form all directions at the moment. The lab space in Edinburgh is being worked in full time. The prototype will be in the water by the end of 2017.

7. Who is behind this? Andrew Durrant PicSea’s MD
Underwater Robotics Engineer
Last 5 Years working developing, deploying and operating underwater robots for the University of Sydney for 3d mapping.
Now working full time on the project.