Cutting-edge ecoCAM Camera Enhances ecoSUBm5-Power+ AUV Systems

In a significant advancement for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), the ecoSUB team presents the ecoCAM, a state-of-the-art 4k video and still image camera seamlessly integrated into the ecoSUBm5-Power+ AUV system. The camera offers high-quality imagery and is ideal for machine learning applications. It features a 1.1" Sony IMX267 global shutter CMOS sensor and a Computar fixed 8mm lens, delivering impressive image reproduction (8.85 MPix at 33.0 fps). The ecoCAM employs Subsea USBC data transfer, ensuring efficient data transmission for video encoding on a Jetson Orin Nano computer, a significant technological feat in the underwater domain.

The ecoCAM camera module is gaining international recognition, with users in the United States and Germany utilising it for diverse machine vision applications. The powerful Nvidia Jetson backseat computer facilitates edge computing capabilities. For instance, the camera feed is assisting in navigating the AUV into a docking station, showcasing its adaptability.

The ecoCAM camera module is a compact unit rated for depths of up to 2,500 meters, perfectly suited for ecoSUBm-series AUV platforms. It resides within a custom nose cone, offering flexible orientation from forward-looking to downward-looking angles for seabed imaging. Optional subsea lighting packages accommodate low-light conditions.