Sciences et avenir: ECA Group to develop A6K AUV, the future autonomous explorer to the abyss

Published on scienceetavenir.fr, March 2017.

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"An autonomous underwater exploration vehicle should soon integrate the Ifremer (French Research Institute for the Exploitation of the Sea) flotilla, opening the way to great depths: 6 kilometers below the surface. This vehicle, which has been under study for two years already, was designed for reconnaissance and mapping missions. It was the subject of a call for tenders in May 2016 within the framework of an alliance called Coral with the Paca region and the European Union.

ECA Group will be responsible for developing the submersible, while Ifremer will design some of the scientific instruments which will be carried underwater. It has two peculiarities that make it unique. The first is that it will not be wire-guided from the surface as is the Victor 6000, another  Ifremer robot exploring the depths. "Its battery will enable it to operate in total autonomy for 24 to 48 hours. And while it operates, the crews  will be able to devote themselves to other tasks, such as the operation of the Victor 6000 or the inhabited submarine Nautile.