Vatn Systems leverages Nortek technology for driving precision and innovation in autonomous underwater navigation
- User stories
Synopsis
Challenge
Vatn needed a navigation solution that could deliver accurate positioning for subsea vehicles operating in unpredictable environments, where GNSS signals are unavailable.
Solution
This partnership enables Vatn’s vehicles to execute complex missions with confidence, reducing operational risk and improving efficiency in demanding subsea conditions.
Benefit
Vatn Systems builds affordable autonomous underwater vehicles that act in cooperative swarms, enabling a multitude of new use cases.
Applications that matter
Vatn’s vehicles are deployed across a wide spectrum of missions. On the commercial side, their affordability makes them accessible to universities and research institutions, providing a versatile test platform for ocean engineering students and scientists. Moreover, these platforms are capable to support port security, fisheries monitoring, pipeline and cable inspection, and even acoustic studies for seismic activity and marine life. In the defense sector, Vatn’s systems contribute to mine countermeasure operations, helping to reduce risk for personnel in high-stakes environments.
Tailored navigation solutions for diverse vehicles and applications
When using AUVs in any of these applications, the ability to maintain reliable positioning underwater is non-negotiable.
“The DVL for underwater navigation is a pretty integral part of what we do,” explains Alex Jensen, Senior GNC Engineer at Vatn Systems. “It’s almost always going to be on a vehicle.”
To meet industry demands, Vatn selected Nortek’s DVL 333 for its larger vehicles, prioritizing extended range to the seafloor for deep-water operations. For smaller platforms, Nortek’s compact navigation sensor suite, the Nucleus 1000, was the ideal choice for its compact form factor and ease of integration. The Nucleus 1000 integrates an AHRS or optional INS to provide pre-calibrated attitude, heading, and position data.
“Form factor and size were big drivers for us,” Jensen notes. “The Nucleus fits perfectly where space is at a premium.”
Technology that enables autonomy
Navigation data from Nortek’s DVLs forms the backbone of Vatn’s control systems. Bottom-track, or water-track when the bottom is out of range, provides accurate vehicle velocity information. The system allows Vatn’s vehicles to maintain precise positioning and avoid hazards like the seafloor, aided by integrated altimeter readings.
Vatn has also developed their proprietary inertial navigation system, INSTINCT,
that employs a modular IMU design allowing to swap MEMS- or FOG-based
IMUs depending on customer needs. Coupled with the Nucleus 1000, the complete
system delivers near-GPS-level accuracy underwater over a couple kilometers.
“With this solution, we can achieve nearly best in class navigation under water,” says Jensen. “For a kilometer, we can get by with so little error that it’s almost within the margin of error compared to the GPS error we see when we come up to the surface. That’s huge for us because we’re working in a small form factor and keeping costs down.”
A partnership built on responsiveness
Rapid growth brings unique challenges, and Vatn credits Nortek for keeping pace with its ambitious timelines. “We move very fast,” Jensen explains. “Our turnaround time is quick, and Nortek has done a great job meeting that demand.”
Erin Conn, who leads business development at Vatn, echoes this sentiment: “Having partners like Nortek really helps accelerate the process, whether it’s troubleshooting or keeping up with supply when timelines are crazy.”
Nortek’s support team for Vatn has been instrumental in resolving technical issues and ensuring smooth integration. “We’ve always appreciated how responsive Nortek has been,” Jensen adds. “We’ve benefited from their expertise in overcoming complex challenges and keeping our projects on track.”
Looking ahead
As Vatn continues to scale, the focus remains on innovation and performance. Future goals include tighter INS-DVL coupling to reduce latency and improve accuracy, pushing the limits of what compact AUVs can achieve.
“For a small form factor, for many of our vehicles, we have to squeeze out every ounce of performance that we can. We still haven’t hit the ceiling,” Jensen says. “That’s exciting.”
From scientific research to advanced navigation in defense, Vatn and Nortek are shaping the future of subsea operations, proving that agility, precision, and partnership are the keys to success in an increasingly complex ocean environment.
