FAQs Archive

Q: D.11 How does the underwater robot adapt to changing seabed topography during its mission?

As the underwater robot travels through the mission, it adjusts the operating mode from having a desired depth while it travels down through the water, and then, as the acoustic sensors and optical sensors begin to observe the seafloor, the vehicle autonomously transitions to altitude control. Altitude control will be active while collecting nodules. The vertical thrusters adjust the force they exert to maintain the set altitude for the AUV over the seafloor. As nodules are collected, the buoyancy engines on board the AUV pump water out of the tanks to maintain the same small desired downward force from the vertical thrusters. The seafloor's typography, where we will collect nodules, gradually changes, and the vehicle travels relatively slowly. A forward-looking sonar provides feedback to the system for topography changes that are too much for the vertical thrusters to manage.

Q: C.5 How are nodule-rich areas mapped and identified?

Nodule-rich areas are mapped and identified as part of the mining prospecting and exploration phase (not our focus). A traditional AUV with wideband sonar and box core samples performs the mapping. The essential data is nodule abundance measured in kg per square meter and metal grade. The metal grade is by collecting multiple box core samples and sending the nodules to the lab to measure the ore grade. Multiple NI-43-101 resource estimations have been completed for deep-sea minerals. The resource estimations are much more complex on land as the resource is three-dimensional compared to two-dimensional on the seabed. Holes are drilled, and an estimate of the three-dimensional resources is calculated.

Q: E.3 Are there any alternative or renewable energy sources to power the carrier ship?

We hope so, and our architecture and commercial model for the vessels enable us to use the best available technology. People are working on batteries, Hydrogen, and Ammonia energy systems for ships. Others are working to capture the carbon from the engines. We will adopt the best technology that is available.

Q: E.2 Are there backup systems for critical functions?

Yes, a minimum of two vessels operate in the field, and while one is transiting to port, the other is servicing the robots. This inherently provides a level of redundancy if critical systems for one of the vessels take one ship out of operation. Additionally, parallel operations on each vessel are planned, with 36 launch and recovery systems on board each vessel and parallel materials handling equipment on each vessel, eliminating single points of failure.

Q: E.1 How is the payload secured and stabilized on the ship once off-loaded from the AUV?

Nodules are offloaded from the AUVs into storage onboard the vessel. The current economic models assume the use of bulk ore transport vessels. We continue to explore alternative novel methods, such as containerizing the nodules onboard the vessel. This method could eliminate vessel stability concerns related to liquefaction of the load. This also provides economic benefits, increasing the number of ports where the nodules can be transported.

D.11 How does the underwater robot adapt to changing seabed topography during its mission?

D.9 What are the size ranges of nodules that the underwater robot’s robotic arms pick up?

C.5 How are nodule-rich areas mapped and identified?

E.3 Are there any alternative or renewable energy sources to power the carrier ship?

E.2 Are there backup systems for critical functions?

E.1 How is the payload secured and stabilized on the ship once off-loaded from the AUV?

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