ScrubMarine, a pioneering marine sector startup, is diving headfirst into the inaugural cohort of Heriot-Watt University's DeepTech LaunchPad. The company, led by engineer Clyne Albertelli, is making waves with its underwater robot designed to combat biofouling—a persistent challenge for the shipping industry.
Biofouling is the accumulation of microorganisms, plants, and algae on marine vessels. It poses significant threats to hull structures and propulsion systems.
ScrubMarine's autonomous underwater robot is on a mission to scrub away these challenges, promising to cut fuel costs, reduce maintenance needs, and minimize environmental impact for ships, boats, and submarines.
The biofouling problem is more than just an inconvenience; it can lead to increased drag of up to 60 percent, resulting in a 40 percent surge in fuel consumption. ScrubMarine's innovative solution aims to address these issues head-on by autonomously clearing and preventing biofouling, offering a cleaner and more efficient course for the marine industry.
Albertelli expressed ScrubMarine's commitment, stating, "In the vast ocean of innovation, ScrubMarine is committed to charting a cleaner and more efficient course for the marine industry."
The underwater robot, powered by deep learning and supported by Heriot-Watt's DeepTech LaunchPad, is poised to impact the future of marine transportation significantly.
Real-world application of the underwater robotic solution
As part of the six-month pilot program, ScrubMarine will collaborate with experts from Heriot-Watt University to develop the complex navigation and control systems required for the further real-world application of its robotic solution. The program offers access to the university's world-leading facilities, including the National Robotarium, a robotics and artificial intelligence center.
The DeepTech LaunchPad, supported by Barclays Eagle Labs through the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology Digital Growth Grant, fosters innovation in various sectors. ScrubMarine is one of six companies accepted into the program, representing diverse industries such as self-care, prosthetics, and food services.
The lineup includes Borobo Ltd, focusing on a new robotics platform for enhanced power management and electronic board design; GI Healthcare Industries, revolutionizing food services with semi-autonomous cooking robots; and Infinity DPM, creating advanced upper limb prosthetics.
The cohort also features Janki Group, which is building an AI-powered tattoo robot system for the personal self-care industry, and Wynter Robotics, which is developing mobile robotic solutions for construction industry applications.
Grant Wheeler, Head of Commercialisation at Heriot-Watt University, emphasized the importance of the DeepTech LaunchPad in Scotland's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
He stated, "Having a deeptech accelerator is one of the missing pieces in Scotland's entrepreneurial ecosystem and will allow our nation to create companies that can compete on an international scale."
Looking ahead, applications for the next cohort open in mid-2024, signaling Heriot-Watt's commitment to scaling up the program. If the pilot proves successful, there are plans to expand the initiative to other Scottish universities, paving the way for more innovations in the realm of deep technology and robotics.
ScrubMarine and its fellow cohort members are poised to bring transformative technologies to market, heralding a new era of commercial success and sustainability across critical sectors.
Originally published on Interesting Engineering : Original article