Sydney-based electronics manufacturer Advanced Navigation announced the opening of its new 5.5-acre subsea robotics facility in Balcatta, Western Australia – its largest subsea robotics hub in the country.
In a news release, the company said the high-tech manufacturing and R&D facility will accelerate the production of the company’s underwater technologies, including its autonomous underwater robot Hydrus, of which the company aims to eventually produce 10,000 units.
“Now more than ever, there is a need to open up the earth’s oceans, to make data and knowledge more accessible to global communities, research institutions and governments. Western Australia has always been an exploration hub for ocean discoveries, said Xavier Orr, CEO and co-founder of Advanced Navigation.
With the new subsea centre, Orr pointed out that Advanced Navigation will be able to more rapidly and effectively bring new and existing products to market while also meeting the growing need for high-quality underwater data.
He added, “With the goal to grow our subsea team threefold, we are confident this investment will deepen and advance our understanding of the oceans.”
The subsea facility is split between development and manufacturing for high-volume production and continued research and expansion of subsea navigation and robotics technologies.
This includes the growth of its underwater artificial intelligence division, the company revealed.
To guarantee dependable operation and the highest calibre of production, the new centre has complete testing facilities with a variety of marine simulation scenarios.
The subsea centre is just one of several investments Advanced Navigation has undertaken as it broadens its capabilities and worldwide reach.
The business established its headquarters in Sydney and has research hubs spread out across Australia, including Newcastle for quantum sensing, Canberra for photonic and laser technology, and Brisbane for aerial drone technology.
With support from renowned research institutions including the University of Western Australia, Curtin University, and the nonprofit Minderoo, Advanced Navigation said it keeps developing sustainable technology to promote the expansion of the blue economy both domestically and abroad.
