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Introduction

At Clear Robotics, we know how crucial hydrographic surveys are for your marine operations—whether you’re keeping ships safe, dredging channels, or building ports. These surveys map the seafloor to guide your decisions, but traditional methods often mean high costs, big crews, and long waits. That’s why we created Clearbot, our unmanned vessels that make surveys easier and more affordable. With smart sonar technology and autonomous navigation, Clearbot delivers accurate seabed data fast, helping you manage waterways or projects with confidence.

The Role of Detailed Seabed Mapping in Marine Operations

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Seabed mapping is your key to understanding what’s underwater. For navigation safety, it spots hazards like rocks or shallows, preventing accidents that could disrupt your port or fleet. In dredging, precise maps show where sediment needs clearing, so you save time and fuel. For infrastructure projects, like piers or underwater cables, accurate data ensures your plans are solid, avoiding costly errors. With reliable waterway charting, you can manage your waters effectively, from maintaining channels to protecting ecosystems. Our Clearbot vessels make this data accessible and actionable.

Clearbot: A Modern Approach to Hydrographic Surveys

We designed Clearbot to simplify seabed mapping, so you get high-quality results without the usual hassle. Our vessels, like the Clearbot Alligator, are compact, solar-powered, and autonomous, reducing the need for large teams or expensive ships. Right now, Clearbot uses single-beam sonar to measure depths up to 20 meters, perfect for ports, rivers, or coastal areas. Looking ahead, we’re exploring more sonar options to meet diverse needs:

• Single-Beam Sonar: Sends one sound pulse down to measure depth at specific points. It’s affordable and ideal for routine surveys, like checking a harbor’s navigation path.
• Multi-Beam Sonar: Sends multiple beams in a fan shape, creating detailed 3D seafloor maps. Great for large projects, like offshore wind farms.
• Side-Scan Sonar: Sends pulses sideways to image the seafloor’s surface, spotting objects like wrecks or reefs. Perfect for environmental work.
• Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS): Combines pings for ultra-high-resolution images, suited for specialized tasks like underwater research.

Our single-beam sonar already meets most client needs, and Clearbot’s autonomous design delivers big benefits:

Why This Helps You

• Save Money: We cut survey costs by up to 30% with solar power and no crew, as we did in India’s Umiam Lake project, clearing 42 tons of waste alongside surveys.
• Work Safer: No onboard staff means no risks in rough or remote waters.
• Get Data Fast: Our boats cover areas quickly, giving you results when you need them.
• Scale Effortlessly: Deploy multiple Clearbots for bigger areas, like a busy port or long river.

With Clearbot, you get tailored seabed maps that make your job easier.

Integrating Clearbot into Your Survey Workflow

We’ve made Clearbot easy to use, fitting right into your workflow. Here’s how it works:

1. Quick Setup: You tell us your survey area (e.g., a port or lake) and goals (e.g., navigation updates or dredging plans). We plan the boat’s route in 30–60 minutes.
2. Autonomous Surveys: Clearbot launches and follows its path, collecting depth data with single-beam sonar (or other sonar as needed). You can check progress on our simple online dashboard, but it runs on its own, so you’re free for other tasks.
3. Fast Results: After up to 8 hours of surveying (powered by a 5–10 kWh battery with solar charging), we can deliver clear outputs like depth charts, seafloor images (with side-scan), or 3D models (with multi-beam). 

Our controls are intuitive, with autonomous or manual modes, and battery swaps keep surveys going. You’ll receive:

• Depth Charts: For navigation or dredging plans.
• Seafloor Images: To spot features like debris or ecosystems (with side-scan).
• 3D Models: For detailed project planning (with multi-beam).
• Summary Report: Key insights, like shallow zones, to guide your decisions.

Clear Robotics: Advancing Marine Operations

We’re Clear Robotics, and we’re passionate about smarter marine solutions. With over 20 boats deployed in 5 countries, including India and Hong Kong, we’ve helped clients like port authorities and environmental groups tackle surveys and cleanups. Our tech and marine vision systems—ensures you get precise data every time. From hydrographic surveys to pollution management, we’re here to make your marine work easier and more effective.

Conclusion & Further Information

At Clear Robotics, our Clearbot vessels simplify hydrographic surveys, saving you money, boosting safety, and delivering the seabed data you need. Whether with single-beam sonar today or advanced options tomorrow, we’re ready to support your projects. Want to streamline your surveys? Reach out at contact@clearbot.org or visit us in Singapore, Bangalore, or Hong Kong.

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