KHI: Received an order for AUV “SPICE”: For submarine pipeline inspection
May 18, 2021
Kawasaki Heavy Industries:
We have received an order for AUV “SPICE” from MODUS SUBSEA SERVICES LIMITED (MODUS) in the United Kingdom.
AUV “SPICE”:
AUV “SPICE”
It is equipped with “the world’s first robot arm for undersea pipeline inspection”.
In AUV “SPICE”
“Proximity inspection of submarine pipelines, which is not possible with conventional AUVs,” has become possible.
Press Release | Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.
https://www.khi.co.jp/pressrelease/detail/20210518_1.html
Kawasaki Receives Order for SPICE,
World’s First AUV with Robot Arm for Subsea Pipeline Inspections
Tokyo, May 18, 2021
Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.
announced today its receipt of an order by Modus Subsea Services Limited (MODUS) in UK for an AUV*1 called SPICE.*2 Kawasaki has undertaken research and development for AUVs in response to growing demand for pipeline maintenance in offshore oil and gas fields.
SPICE is the world’s first AUV equipped with a robot arm for performing subsea pipeline inspections,
developed based on a fusion of submarine-related technologies and industrial robot technologies fostered at Kawasaki over many years.
SPICE will be used for operations in the North Sea and other sea areas around the world after delivery to MODUS in 2021.
MODUS
has committed to acquire two units of SPICE from Kawasaki, of which first one was placed an order this time.
By Kawasaki’s technological synergies, a robot arm fitted with an inspection tool unit at the end
enables SPICE to perform close-range inspections of subsea pipelines not possible with traditional AUVs.
In addition,
it is operated using a docking station also developed by Kawasaki, which increases inspection operation efficiency and reduces cost requirements,
while also
benefiting crews working on a support vessel by reducing their burden and improving safety.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.
https://global.kawasaki.com/en/corp/newsroom/news/detail/?f=20210518_2075