Evolution of Underwater Cybernetic Ecosystem Exhibited at Neva 2025
Rubin Design Bureau of the United Shipbuilding Corporation presented a new phase in concept design of an underwater cybernetic ecosystem at exhibition Neva 2025. The bureau demonstrated a sea-floor version of the unmanned underwater station Octavis that provides for long-term operation of unmanned underwater vehicles (AUVs).
The difference between the first version of the underwater station demonstrated at Army 2024 and the bottomed Octavis is that the latter is not positioned in the body of water but on the sea floor on four support structures. The bottomed Octavis is designed for a depth of up to 500 m, i.e. for continental shelf. That is the zone for fishing and crabbing and for extraction of natural resources. These depths are used to lay communication cables parallel to the shore and for underwater oil and gas lines to approach the shore. Coastal shipping routes and wind farms are also here. Marine biological systems in shallow waters are prone to heavy environmental burden, which necessitates environmental monitoring. AUVs can be engaged in all the above anthropogenic activities. However, they would need a support system - a bottomed unmanned station.
The Octavis is capable of providing support for up to three robots. After docking to the station, the AUV will be able to charge its battery or remain 'parked' to the station waiting for the next mission. The Octavis will analyse the technical condition of the vehicle and its software. The station will be able to operate as a data storage and transfer node: it will temporarily store information acquired by AUVs and send it to a Onshore Remote Operations Center (OROC) or to other vehicles. The shore-based centre will communicate the new mission program to AUVs through the station.
The Octavis can also be used to acquire information on environmental parameters, in particular, for environmental monitoring in the area of its location.
Owing to the unmanned underwater station, at least one underwater robot will always be ready for action. The Octavis will help eliminate risks related to launch and recovery of robotic vehicles especially in rough seas. Cost of missions will reduce, as there is no need for permanent presence of the support vessel. All of these things will contribute to better awareness of the underwater situation. The station and 'attached' AUVs can be controlled from a shore centre or offshore platform. It will communicate with the OROC via optical fibers integrated into the power cable.
Power source of the Octavis - lithium-ion battery bank. The station will be powered from the shore or an offshore platform.
Visitors of the Neva exhibition will also see the first version of the unmanned underwater station Octavis designed to reside in the body of water and unmanned underwater vehicle Argus-D - the first vehicle in Russia with droppable payload.
