Cellula Robotics Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Today, on January 19, 2021, Cellula celebrates its 20th anniversary.

In honour of the milestone, Eric Jackson, President of Cellula, comments:

Over the last 20 years, Cellula Robotics Ltd. has evolved and grown into a world-leading subsea engineering company employing many talented engineers and staff. Cellula started out as a one-person R&D management consultancy, gradually growing into a company known for creating state-of-the-art subsea geotechnical drills and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles. We are proud to have our products, custom designed for recognized clients including Helix Energy, Fukada, Mitsubishi, and the Government of Canada, deployed offshore worldwide from the U.K. to Japan, Papua New Guinea to the Gulf of Mexico.

Our current ambition is to become world leaders in hydrogen powered AUVs and Hovering AUVs, and to maintain our leadership in robotic seafloor drills. We hope you’ll continue to work with us in the years to come.

Abraham AUV Successfully Delivered to Terradepth

Cellula Robotics has successfully delivered Abraham, an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), to Terradepth LLC to support the development of their AxV platform.

Abraham is based on Cellula’s proven Solus-LR AUV without the fuel cell module. In less than ten months, the project team completed the design and build at Cellula’s Burnaby facility, including three weeks of sea trials in Indian Arm (BC, Canada). 

Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, Cellula supported client involvement during testing and sea trials with remote data and video connections to the Cellula Ranger support vessel.

“This project is the first commercial sale of Cellula’s Solus AUV platform, further validating the design developed for Defence R&D Canada.  Cellula has enjoyed working with Terradepth’s high calibre team, and we are proud to have been part of their game changing AxV development.  Cellula would also like to acknowledge DRDC’s original contribution to the development of Solus-LR, which made this project possible,” said Eric Jackson, President of Cellula.

Cellula will continue to provide support to Terradepth as they progress their integrated vehicle sea trials in Austin, Texas and the Gulf of Mexico.

Terradepth is a full-stack company integrating the latest undersea data capture, storage, and transmission technologies, deployed on a fleet of networked autonomous underwater vehicles. Their mission is to capture comprehensive data from the world's ocean on an unprecedented scale, resolution, and price point. For more information, visit their website.

Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) is the national leader in defence and security science and technology. DRDC provides the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Armed Forces and other government departments, as well as the public safety and national security communities, the knowledge and technological advantage needed to defend and protect Canada’s interests at home and abroad. For more information, please visit DRDC’s website.

Solus-LR Confirms Range Potential with In-Water Testing

Cellula is pleased to announce the Solus-LR AUV program has reached a major milestone with the completion of full vehicle sea trials. Solus-LR now includes the fuel cell, suction anchor and variable buoyancy engine modules; the vehicle measures 8.5m long by 1m diameter and displaces 3,700kg.

Sea trials focused on control system tuning, suction anchor performance and hydrodynamic drag analysis. Based on the results from this testing, Cellula has confirmed Solus-LR has a range potential of 2,000 km while cruising a 1.5m/s (3kts) with sufficient payload power to operate a typical survey payload for the entire mission.

Solus-LR was built for Defence Research and Development Canada under the All Domain Situational Awareness Science and Technology Program.  Additional fuel cell-powered missions are currently planned for the summer of 2021.

Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) is the national leader in defence and security science and technology. DRDC provides the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Armed Forces and other government departments, as well as the public safety and national security communities, the knowledge and technological advantage needed to defend and protect Canada’s interests at home and abroad. For more information, please visit DRDC’s website; read their press release here.

All Domain Situational Awareness (ADSA) S&T Program: Through an investment of up to $133 million over five years, through to 2020, in the ADSA S&T Program, DND is supporting a variety of innovative research and analysis projects, the outcomes of which are expected to contribute to the development of options for enhanced domain awareness of air, maritime surface and sub-surface approaches to Canada, in particular those in the Arctic. This research and analysis will be delivered through collaboration with other government departments, academia, industry and allies. Surveillance solutions explored and potentially selected will strengthen the Government of Canada’s ability to exercise sovereignty in the North, and will provide a greater whole-of-government awareness of safety and security issues, as well as transportation and commercial activity in Canada’s Arctic.

Cellula Robotics and Ocean Floor Geophysics Collaborate on Vessel Signature Measurement Contract for Royal Canadian Navy

Cellula Robotics Ltd. is collaborating with Ocean Floor Geophysics Ltd. (OFG) on a contract to measure and model the magnetic and electric signatures of a non-combatant training vessel provided by the Royal Canadian Navy. The results will be used to complement and extend current vessel signature measurement capabilities.

The data will be collected by OFG sensors integrated on Cellula’s Solus-LR AUV. In addition to sensor integration, Cellula will provide engineering services, a remote operations piloting control centre, and use of AUV support vessel Cellula Ranger for the field trials.

Solus-LR is a fuel cell powered long range AUV, capable of 2000km submerged missions. It is currently being built for Defence Research Development Canada under the All Domain Situational Awareness Science and Technology Program. For more information, visit our product page.

Since its inception Ocean Floor Geophysics (OFG) has consistently developed and operated innovative marine geophysical systems to provide new perspectives to their clients. OFG provides previously unavailable data acquisition and analysis services by integrating magnetic, EM, CSEM/MT, gravity, chemical, and hydrographic sensors and systems deployed on AUVs, ASV/USVs, ROVs and towed systems. For more information, visit their website.

Successful Completion of JAMSTEC High Flow Water Pump & Large Diameter Drilling Tools

Cellula Robotics has successfully completed and delivered a high flow water pump and additional drilling tools for JAMSTEC’s large diameter drilling operations.

This equipment was designed to support their Boring Machine System, delivered in 2016 and based on Cellula’s CRD100 seafloor drill.  Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, Cellula is also providing remote installation support.

Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) is an independent administrative institution whose main objective is to contribute to the advancement of academic research in addition to the improvement of marine science and technology. For more information, please visit the JAMSTEC website.

Successful Factory Acceptance Testing Completion for ROV-Controlled Fence Cutter

Cellula Robotics Ltd. has successfully completed Factory Acceptance Testing for a ROV-controlled fence cutter.

The fence cutter enables ROV inspection access to a flooded hydro-electric dam tunnel by cutting access holes through steel trash racks. The ROV is easily able to position and mount the cutter to the fence.

The project leveraged Cellula’s experience with electro-hydraulic control systems, and track record of rapidly developing complex hydraulic subsea robotic systems, to provide a bespoke solution to our client – all under the control and oversight of our ISO 9001:2015 certificated Quality Management System.

Solus-LR Successfully Completes Suction Anchor Testing in Second Sea Trials

Cellula Robotics’ Solus-LR has completed a second round of tank tests and sea trials, which includes successful testing of its’ novel suction anchor system.

Solus-LR is a fuel cell powered long range AUV, capable of 2000km submerged missions; it is currently being built for Defence Research and Development Canada under the All Domain Situational Awareness Science and Technology Program

The suction anchor is a unique feature to Solus-LR, which allows station holding at a surveillance location in a quiet, low power mode. Recent sea trials demonstrated the anchor deployment from Solus-LR and caisson embedment in the seafloor.  Pull tests verified the holding force and suitability for future missions.

Upcoming sea trials will focus on the fuel cell power system and validate Solus-LR’s range capability.

Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) is the national leader in defence and security science and technology. DRDC provides the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Armed Forces and other government departments, as well as the public safety and national security communities, the knowledge and technological advantage needed to defend and protect Canada’s interests at home and abroad. For more information, please visit DRDC’s website; read their press release here.

All Domain Situational Awareness (ADSA) S&T Program: Through an investment of up to $133 million over five years, through to 2020, in the ADSA S&T Program, DND is supporting a variety of innovative research and analysis projects, the outcomes of which are expected to contribute to the development of options for enhanced domain awareness of air, maritime surface and sub-surface approaches to Canada, in particular those in the Arctic. This research and analysis will be delivered through collaboration with other government departments, academia, industry and allies. Surveillance solutions explored and potentially selected will strengthen the Government of Canada’s ability to exercise sovereignty in the North, and will provide a greater whole-of-government awareness of safety and security issues, as well as transportation and commercial activity in Canada’s Arctic.

Successful Large Diamater Drilling Upgrade for JAMSTEC CRD100 Seafloor Drill

Cellula Robotics Ltd. has successfully completed the design and delivery of a large diameter drilling upgrade to JAMSTEC’s Boring Machine System (BMS), based on Cellula’s CRD100 Seafloor Drill.

The upgrade enables a 200 mm diameter bore hole to be drilled to at least 20 meters below mudline in water depths down to 3000 meters. Sensor packages up to 160 mm in diameter and 1200 mm in length then then deployed.

The original BMS was delivered to JAMSTEC in 2016; since then, Cellula has remained committed to supporting our client’s evolving needs. All products are produced under our ISO 9001 Quality Management System, and leverage Cellula’s extensive experience with manufacturing remotely operated subsea equipment and seafloor geotechnical drills.

Solus-LR Successfully Completes First Sea Trials

Cellula Robotics has successfully completed the initial builder’s sea trials for the Solus-LR Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV).

Solus-LR is a fuel cell powered long range AUV, capable of 2000km submerged missions; it is currently being built for Defence Research Development Canada under the All Domain Situational Awareness Science and Technology Program.

This first set of sea trials focused on validating basic autonomous behavior including surface and submerged missions in Port Moody off Burrard Inlet, supported by the Cellula Ranger survey vessel.

Over the next month, a suction anchor and variable buoyancy engine module will be added to Solus-LR and a second set of builder’s sea trials will be completed in February.  The suction anchor enables Solus-LR to hold station in a low power, quiet mode for extended duration missions.

The final set of builder’s trials are scheduled for April 2020 and will see the fuel cell power module integrated to compete a number of long endurance missions.

The project will conclude in the summer of 2020 with a 2000km mission in the Indian Arm.  This mission will see Solus-LR completing 10km laps between navigation and communications buoys, providing regular updates to a remote mission control center via under water communications.

Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) is the national leader in defence and security science and technology. DRDC provides the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Armed Forces and other government departments as well as the public safety and national security communities, the knowledge and technological advantage needed to defend and protect Canada’s interests at home and abroad. For more information, please visit DRDC’s website; read their press release here.

All Domain Situational Awareness (ADSA) S&T Program: Through an investment of up to $133 million over five years, through to 2020, in the ADSA S&T Program, DND is supporting a variety of innovative research and analysis projects, the outcomes of which are expected to contribute to the development of options for enhanced domain awareness of air, maritime surface and sub-surface approaches to Canada, in particular those in the Arctic. This research and analysis will be delivered through collaboration with other government departments, academia, industry and allies. Surveillance solutions explored and potentially selected will strengthen the Government of Canada’s ability to exercise sovereignty in the North, and will provide a greater whole-of-government awareness of safety and security issues, as well as transportation and commercial activity in Canada’s Arctic.

Cellula Staff Receives Individual Safety Champion Award

Thomas Deaton, Junior Electrical Engineer at Cellula, has received the Individual Safety Champion award in the “Heavy Equipment, Machinery, or Parts Manufacture or Installation” category by the BC CSSE/NAOSH. The award was presented at the BC CSSE/NAOSH Week Safety Forum and Awards Dinner on November 28th in Burnaby, BC.

While on the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC), Thomas has consistently shown leadership and initiative, which has been instrumental to the continuous improvement of our Health and Safety Program. As a certified ISO 45001:2018 internal auditor, he will be supporting Cellula's efforts to self-certify in 2020.