What it was
Underwater transport for the low-carbon economy.
We built small autonomous submarines meant to move hydrogen, CO2, and similar cargo underwater - without waiting a decade for a pipeline. Cargo would pay for the trips; along the way the vehicles would collect ocean data and filter microplastics, so restoration could scale with the commercial work.
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Transport
Move industrial gas and liquid cargo underwater, on demand.
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Intelligence
Sensors for ocean acidification and basic environmental data.
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Restoration
Hull filters, based on fish gills, to pick up microplastics in transit.
What it proved
We could build a working prototype, trial it at sea, and move toward commercial pilots.
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On hold
We paused because of strong headwinds for low-carbon solutions - customers cancelled related projects and initiatives. We may return to it if the market for those solutions is prioritised again.
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Pearl sea trial - Miami
Pearl (OW004), about 50 kg, ran a day-long trial in the Atlantic off Miami, around Key Biscayne. The U.S. Coast Guard and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park supported the run.
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Esmeralda at COP26
We showed the first prototype in Glasgow at COP26.
The record
Footage from the work.
Two clips from the build: COP26, and the Miami sea trial.