The Eelume

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The Concept

Eelume is a disruptive technology for subsea inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR). Eelume vehicles are basically self-propelled robotic arms whose slender and flexible body can transit over long distances and carry out IMR in confined spaces not accessible by conventional underwater vehicles.

Our vehicles are engineered to live permanently under water, where they can be mobilized 24/7 regardless of weather conditions. A continuous IMR capability near the subsea installations without the need for surface vessels means greener, safer and less costly subsea operations.


Subsea Resident

Designed to live subsea by being connected to a docking station on the seabed.


Safer and Greener

A resident solution which can be mobilized 24/7 without the need for a surface vessel enables safer, greener and more cost efficient subsea operations.


Modular System

Adaptable to a wide range of subsea operations. Modules can be connected in different combinations to form various types of vehicles.


Intervention

The vehicle itself is a dexterous robotic arm which can operate tools and carry out intervention tasks.


Long Range

The slender and torpedo-shaped vehicle can transit over long distances like a survey AUV.


Access Difficult Areas

The flexible and slender body can access and operate in restricted areas of subsea structures.





System and Product

Eelume vehicles are modular combinations of joints, thrusters and various payload modules. The slender body allows for precision hovering and maneuvering even in strong ocean currents.

Sensors and tools can be mounted anywhere along the flexible body. A dual-arm configuration is achieved by mounting tooling in each end and forming the vehicle body into a U-shape. One end of the arm can grab hold to fixate the vehicle, while the other end can carry out inspection and intervention tasks. One end of the arm can also provide a perspective camera view of a tool operation carried out at the other end.

All these flexible operational scenarios are made possible by the unique shape-changing capabilities of the Eelume vehicles.

The Eelume Story

Eelume was established in 2015 as a spin-off from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). After a decade of research on snake robots in collaboration with the research organization SINTEF, we decided to pursue industrial subsea applications of these amazing mechanisms.

The strategic partnership formed with Kongsberg Maritime and Statoil (LOOP product development program) in 2016 ensures that our unique vehicle concept is fused with leading subsea experience and technology. In addition, the support from the Research Council of Norway and Innovation Norway has been vital to our success.

We are immensely proud of our technology and progress, but our creative and highly motivated team is only at the beginning of its mission to reshape underwater operations.

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