ASV AT TRAFALGAR WHARF MAKES THE HEADLINES

A small unmanned boat the size of a large bath tub, which has been developed and produced by a tenant at Trafalgar Wharf is now being trialled in Japan.

Just 2.3 metres long and 1.3 metres wide, the C-Stat 2 developed by Autonomous Surface Vehicles (ASV), is being used by Tohuku University in Japan to help predict earthquakes off the Japanese coast.

Made out of aluminium and powered by a hybrid diesel electric system it is controlled by a ultra high frequency (UHF) data link for line of sight control or a satellite link for global control and can stay in low-speed currents for more than 20 days.

The team behind the C-stat believe the vessel could be fitted with cameras for surveillance purposes. Vince Dobbin, head of business development for AVS, said: “It could monitor areas and be fitted with different cameras and a range of sensors for harbour security.”

For countries with shrinking navies, multiple use of the C-stat could help monitor waters while reducing costs and increasing intelligence data.

The vessel could also be used for dredging surveys and acoustic monitoring of sealife.

Mr Dobbin added: “It’s fantastic for such a young company as ours to be building such an exciting product and more importantly exporting the other way, a real one up for British manufacturing.”