Cellula Robotics Ltd. has been awarded two contracts under the Canada’s Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program.

For the Persistent Maritime Surveillance challenge, Cellula is funded to test a candidate battery technology for a Deployable Battery Station (DBS) to support Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) mission extensions. The DBS will ultimately provide megawatt-hour subsea storage capacity for long term deployments enabling UUVs to recharge without being recovered.

Under the Collaboration of Robotics Systems challenge, Cellula has teamed with Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Engineering to demonstrate a team of marine robots imaging a target from below and above to create a complete 3D model.  The project includes Cellula’s Imotus hovering UUV below the water with surface and aerial drones from Dalhousie University.  Ultimately, this technology can be used to assess over the horizon targets before manned interdiction operations.

Announced in Canada’s defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged (June, 2017), DND introduced the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program to improve DND’s access to the creative potential of Canadian innovators to build defence capability and economic impact. The program supports the formation of an innovation ecosystem from the early stages of an idea, creates awareness of defence and security challenges and mobilizes innovators to develop prototypes and capabilities for defence and security capabilities.