Vaarst, a technology spin-off from subsea robotic and hydrographic survey company Rovco launched this week, providing offshore and marine robotics new capabilities through retrofitted AI and autonomy.
The Bristol-based business said it aims to leverage intelligent data flows for smart asset management to accelerate advancement in ocean robotics, giving marine and subsea providers access to technology that will enable them to deliver AI-driven autonomous robotic work at scale.
Vaarst said it will target the energy and marine sectors through technologies such as SubSLAM X2, an intelligent data collection system that delivers robotic spatial awareness and live 3D point clouds to any device in the world, without positioning systems, thereby saving project days.
This, combined with the company’s machine learning and autonomy solutions, are designed to provide efficient data collection and AI interpretation.
Vaarst CEO and founder Brian Allen said: “Autonomous robotics are the key to reducing the cost of offshore operations. At the same time, digitalisation of field assets is essential as the industry evolves, marrying these two concepts is needed to realise the real benefit of modern tech.
“It’s the data that has to drive the vehicles. Vaarst is committed to unlocking the potential of offshore robotics for all.”
Vaarst said it predicted immediate 2021 revenue of over £1m, rising to more than £20m in the next few years.
It will operate globally from its Bristol headquarters in Bristol with 29 employees, with plans to grow this to 70+ by end of 2022.
The company also plans to take its offering to wider industrial robotics global markets in sectors such as mining, construction, farming and land survey.
