Hullrover manufactures an affordable, robust Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) designed for efficient in-water hull cleaning of commercial vessels. This system features full debris reclaim capabilities, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations regarding biofouling and waste. The robot offers high cleaning speeds and simplified operation, aiming to increase productivity compared to traditional diver-based methods.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Biofouling on ship hulls increases fuel consumption, spreads invasive species, and requires costly and potentially hazardous manual cleaning methods. Existing robotic solutions are often expensive to acquire and maintain, limiting accessibility for many in-water cleaning service providers.
Solution
HullROVER offers a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) designed for efficient and environmentally conscious in-water cleaning of commercial vessels and barges. The ROV utilizes a cylindrical brush system and a debris collection system to remove biofouling while ensuring full waste reclaim, complying with environmental regulations. By using readily available components, HullROVER provides a cost-effective alternative to traditional and robotic hull cleaning methods, enabling more frequent cleaning, reducing fuel consumption, and minimizing the spread of invasive aquatic species. The design is easy to operate, allowing existing diver-based providers to expand their service offerings.
Target Audience
HullROVER targets in-water cleaning service providers, port operators, and ship owners seeking a cost-effective and environmentally compliant solution for maintaining clean ship hulls.
Features
- Cylindrical brush cleaning system with a cleaning speed of 500–600 m²/hour
- Integrated debris collection system for 100% waste reclaim
- Modular filtration options down to 10µm
- Operable in currents up to 2 knots
- Two integrated cameras, IMU sensor, and acoustic sensors for navigation and control
- Bundled 100m umbilical for power and control
- Lightweight design (200 kg in air) for easy deployment and handling