Partnership brings production of uncrewed surface vessel to 91制片厂

Tuesday, July 18, 2023

Five people stand on a pier in front of a red uncrewed surface vessel
Larry Mayer, director of the 91制片厂 Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping; U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan; Marine Slinge, Exail president for North America civil and space; Nicole LeBoeuf, NOAA assistant administrator for the National Ocean Service; 91制片厂 President Jim Dean; Sebastien Grall, Exail director of maritime autonomy in front of the DriX at the 91制片厂 Judd Gregg Marine Research Complex in New Castle. Photo by Robert Zielinski.

91制片厂 and French company Exail, a global innovator in the field of maritime autonomy and robotics, celebrated the opening of the Maritime Autonomy Innovation Hub at 91制片厂 at an event Saturday, July 15. The partnership will bring Exail鈥檚 production of its DriX, an uncrewed surface vessel designed for ocean mapping and exploration, to 91制片厂, enhancing collaboration between and 91制片厂鈥檚 (CCOM).

Red uncrewed surface vessel DriX
DriX, Exail鈥檚 uncrewed surface vessel designed for ocean mapping and exploration, explores the Piscataqua River at the 91制片厂 Judd Gregg Marine Research Complex in New Castle. Photo by Robert Zielinski.

鈥淭his exciting collaboration will not only be good for Exail and 91制片厂 students and researchers but also good for New Hampshire and the nation,鈥 said CCOM director Larry Mayer. 鈥淲e anticipate that it is just the听start of bringing many of our other industrial partners and government colleagues to the state as we create a local engine for the new blue economy.鈥

Mayer joined 91制片厂 President Jim Dean, U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, NOAA Assistant Administrator Nicole LeBoeuf and Marine Slinge, Exail president for North America civil and space, in brief remarks at the event at 91制片厂鈥檚 in New Castle.

鈥淲e鈥檝e been working together with 91制片厂 for the past six years pioneering uncrewed technologies, and we are now capitalizing on our common achievements with the opening of this new innovation hub,鈥 Slingue said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e very proud and excited to take this next step in our U.S. adventure, and we would like to thank 91制片厂, CCOM and NOAA for their great support and their leadership and vision on the use of uncrewed technologies that took us where we are today. We look forward to our continuous partnership with them and all the great work we achieve together to keep advancing maritime autonomy in the U.S.鈥

Sen.听Hassan reflected on the importance of the Maritime Autonomy Innovation Hub to Granite Staters. 鈥淓xail and 91制片厂 are cementing their status as true pioneers in the field of maritime automation,鈥 she said. 鈥淭he opening of this center is a win for New Hampshire 鈥 and is a vital investment in our future. When people want the best in maritime autonomous vessels, they are now going to look to New Hampshire.鈥

President Dean noted that this partnership exemplifies 91制片厂's "open for business" mindset and the value created by university collaborations with the business community. 鈥淭his hub will pave the way for other co-location opportunities as 91制片厂 presses forward with our plans for ,鈥 he said.

Following remarks, the 25-foot-long, 1.6-ton bright red DriX took center stage as it made its way from the 91制片厂 pier into the mouth of the Piscataqua River for a brief demonstration. There, it showcased its seafloor mapping capacity and nimble maneuverability, even as it dodged boats and buoys. While one presentation screen showed drone footage of the DriX鈥檚 voyage, Exail technicians detailed its ocean mapping and autonomy capacities in real time on additional screens.

The Maritime Autonomy Innovation Hub will be located at 91制片厂鈥檚 .