Spark Technologies, a company that designs and manufactures autonomous unmanned boats SPARK Bot, has joined the cluster of innovative technology companies at the Port of Riga.
The fully electric, floating water drone is equipped with an artificial intelligence (AI) vision and navigation system that enables it to make real-time decisions and perform tasks on the water without human presence, mitigating risk in dangerous situations while saving resources, improving data accuracy and boosting work efficiency.
Designed as an open technology platform, SPARK Bot can be adapted to the needs of various industries – security and defence, environmental monitoring, port infrastructure survey and navigation support, as well as rescue operations and transportation of goods.
“Our goal was to create a globally competitive technology platform that would become the benchmark for the sea drone industry,” said Otto Dzenis, founder of Spark Technologies.
“The advantage of Spark Technologies is that we combine practical shipbuilding experience with the development of high-end AI technologies. We think like engineers building the fleet of the future, not just as a robotics company.
“That is why our solution is practical, sustainable and adaptable, not just a theoretical concept or prototype.”
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The SPARK Bot is made of carbon fibre materials, so it is lightweight, with little draft and literally non-submersible.
Using a new generation electric engine with waterjet propulsion, the boat operates extremely quietly – without propeller noise, with a significantly reduced acoustic and thermal footprint.
This technology makes the platform ideal for covert military operations, intelligence and patrols in low-profile mode, where silence and imperceptibility are critical.
Currently, in cooperation with another company based in the Port of Riga – underwater drone manufacturer Eprons ROV – Spark Technologies is working on equipping SPARK Bot platforms with autonomous or remotely controlled underwater drones, which are launched directly from the boat.
Thus, the capabilities of the SPARK Bot system are expanded, providing for a wide range of underwater missions.
Eprons ROV underwater drones can be equipped with high-resolution cameras, powerful lighting systems, and customisable accessories for specific tasks.
Integrated sonars make it possible to scan and survey the seabed in detail, as well as detect underwater objects.
This solution provides a wide range of applications for ocean and environmental monitoring, seabed mapping, infrastructure surveillance, security and protection tasks, detection of potential threats or objects under water, as well as search and rescue operations.
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Otto Dzenis, referring to Spark Technologies’ strategic vision, commented: “Our goal is not to compete with everyone, but to build strategic partnerships where different technologies and knowledge complement each other.
“SPARK Bot is an open platform that can be customised for various sensors, control systems, and customer needs. Our ambition is to become a trusted technology partner that helps other companies move to the next level of innovation on the water.”
For more information:
Spark Technologies – https://www.sparktechs.com/
Port of Riga – https://rop.lv/en
