A HydroSurv REAV 28 USV off the coast of Cornwall. Photo courtesy of HydroSurv.
HydroSurv has won funding from Innovate UK to continue working with the University of Plymouth to enhance its technique of using unmanned surface vessels to map seagrass coverage on the seabed.
Building on previous collaborations with the university and Valeport, the project aims to generate a comprehensive picture of seagrass meadows as well as to characterize the environment in which they are growing, enabling ecosystem health to be determined from the same survey campaign.
The project will see HydroSurv’s low impact, fully electric USV data acquisition platform developed further to deliver comprehensive, seagrass monitoring using an Acoustic Ground Discrimination System coupled with video and environmental data collection from new hull-mounted and underwater sensor arrays. These include two specialist cameras and a laser range finder, which is deployed to a constant altitude using an intelligently controlled cast winch on the HydroSurv REAV-28 USV.
A macro lens camera on the underwater skid will be lowered into sediment for close-up, high-resolution photographs. Using an algorithm to ascertain grain size from the images, the type of ground in which the seagrass is growing can be determined. This enables stakeholders to monitor critical environmental parameters of seagrass habitats and to quantify meadow biomass and carbon sequestration potential, in turn informing better understanding of these habitats and their restoration.
The vessel’s sensor payload will also measure sound velocity, turbidity and chlorophyll levels, while machine learning algorithms, developed by the university, will objectively classify the seagrass beds using acoustic envelopes.
Processed data will be provided to coastal practitioners and scientists using an enhanced cloud-based data hosting and visualization application developed by HydroSurv. This will enable them to create an enhanced picture of seagrass coverage, density and canopy height alongside improved environmental measurements and ground truthing video files, making actionable seagrass data wholly accessible.
“The use of a non-invasive USV system to work in these sensitive environments reduces the risk of damage to the very habitat we are trying to protect,” said HydroSurv COO Ian Godfrey. “Beyond that, improved accuracy, low carbon emissions and reduced cost make uncrewed platforms an attractive proposition for survey and characterization of seagrass meadows, even in waters that are difficult to access. HydroSurv is focused on providing a turnkey solution covering robotics and data processing in a single package that is readily accessible to industry stakeholders.”
The six-month project will culminate in a system demonstration involving key UK natural capital stakeholders actively involved in seagrass conservation projects and strategy, including co-funder DEFRA, Natural England and the Environment Agency.
“Collecting and processing ground truth images of seagrass habitats is currently an essential, but costly and time-consuming, activity,” said Tim Scott, associate professor at the University of Plymouth. “This project will dramatically improve our ability to monitor these critical ecosystems effectively and economically, facilitating the collection of regular and spatially comprehensive datasets that would not be possible without leveraging marine autonomy and advanced data analysis techniques.”
London, England – BT has delivered a robotics platform and management system as part of the Innovate UK-funded ‘Robot Highways’ project. The project is exploring the use of IoT and robotics in smart agriculture to drive automation, increase efficiency, and improve environmental sustainability.
The project aims to illustrate how a fleet of robots with various roles can interact and cooperate to form a robust and highly efficient supply chain operation.
In response to the challenge, BT and partners have demonstrated a vision of the future of soft fruit farming, where robotics, powered exclusively by renewable energy sources, will assist farmers by carrying out essential, energy intensive, physical farm processes. These include picking and packing fruit, as well as treating crops to reduce common pests and diseases.
By bringing together robotics and IoT, the project consortium has shown how key agricultural processes can be optimised through improving forecasting accuracy, increasing farm productivity, reducing farm labour and reducing fruit waste and fungicide use.
BT has developed and tested the edge and cloud architecture to deliver the infrastructure through which these IoT services can operate.
The technology employed by Robot Highways also supports the industry’s sustainability efforts to reduce fossil fuel use across all farming operations, helping to move the sector towards a carbon zero future.
The project is led by Saga Robotics, alongside partners BT, University of Lincoln, Berry Gardens Growers Ltd, Clock House Farm, University of Reading, and the Manufacturing Technology Centre.
John Davies, Chief Researcher, BT, said: “We’re delighted to be part of the Robot Highways project to demonstrate how BT can help the agricultural sector to automate by integrating robotics and other solutions on a single platform. As a leader in network-based platforms and edge-infrastructure we are ideally placed to support advanced robotic farming operations.”
Anne Dingstad, CEO of Saga Robotics, said “We’re welcoming BT’s interest and support to help provide solutions that advance agricultural robotics in the UK. Connectivity plays a key part to advance automation and precision agriculture and to enable increased food production with less resources.”
About BT Group
BT Group is the UK’s leading provider of fixed and mobile telecommunications and related secure digital products, solutions and services. We also provide managed telecommunications, security and network and IT infrastructure services to customers across 180 countries.
BT Group consists of four customer-facing units: Consumer serves individuals and families in the UK; Enterprise and Global are our UK and international business-focused units respectively; Openreach is an independently governed, wholly owned subsidiary, which wholesales fixed access infrastructure services to its customers – over 650 communication providers across the UK.
For the year ended 31 March 2022, BT Group’s reported revenue was £20,850m with reported profit before taxation of £1,963m.
British Telecommunications plc is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange.
At WSP, we are driven by inspiring future-ready pioneers to innovate. We’re looking to grow our teams with people who are ready to collaborate in building communities and expanding our skylines. To do this, we hire candidates of all backgrounds. That’s why here at WSP, inclusion, diversity, equity and belonging are core principles. Anything is within our reach and yours as a WSP employee. Come join us and help shape the future!
This Opportunity WSP is currently initiating a search for an Aerial Innovation Deputy Director for our Salt Lake City office, or any mutually agreed WSP USA office. The position will be responsible for developing and supporting the execution of current and future work in aerial innovation, including Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). We are seeking a candidate who can drive innovation, work across aviation and surface transportation disciplines to assist with innovative solutions and state-of-the-art technologies to solve real-world challenges.
Your Impact
Strategize development of new business with new and existing clients in the AAM/UAS market
Collaborate, coordinate and/or lead work on pursuits for aerial innovation
Create strong relationships with government and industry partners to advance new innovative markets
Provide expert insight and recommendations for complex problems regarding the integration of new modes of transportation with the existing transportation system
Research/organize facts to compile and organize for content
Develop high-quality, engaging content for studies, technical briefs, white papers, periodicals, and other materials as assigned.
Assist with the creation of both written and practical training programs
Assist with UAS program development and training
Work with content creators to ensure consistency and quality outputs
Develop a client base for providing high level Advisory Services including identifying additional business development opportunities, marketing, proposals, and cross-selling of other WSP capabilities.
Mentor staff to support their growth and professional development.
Manage and provide performance guidance and leadership to assigned staff.
Remain current in latest management consulting and advisory services techniques and practices.
Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.
Who You Are Required Qualifications
In recognition of the full strategic suite of services offered by Advisory Services, the following degree requirements apply:
Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Data Sciences, Business, Economics, Finance, Urban or Transportation Planning, Environmental Studies, Liberal Arts, Public Policy, Operations Research, or closely related discipline.
12+ years of relevant aviation planning/operations experience
Recognized leader in Advanced Air Mobility and/or Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Experience working with AAM/UAS OEMs and/or Service Providers
Collaboration across planning disciplines at the state, local (especially AAM target cities) and federal level (e.g., transportation, aviation, land use, economic development)
Experience in airfield certification and safety inspections
Experience with Unmanned Aircraft Systems program, policy, and training
Experience in creating structured training courses for both written and practical courses
Excellent oral, written, presentation, and research skills
Strategic, conceptual, analytical thinking, and decision-making skills
Adaptability and flexibility including the ability to manage deadlines
Be flexible and have the ability to work on multiple projects of varied complexity with minimal supervision.
Experience gathering and analyzing technical information
Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
Strong ability to quickly adapt to change and demonstrate flexibility to a variety of schedules and hours to meet business needs.
Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s Degree is preferred.
Strong experience in managing the review and approval of documents and discipline-specific deliverables, certifications, processes, and plans in a multi-project environment is highly desirable.
Compensation and Benefits:
WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on a providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.
Expected Salary for CO applicants: $119,800 – $175,00
WSP USA is providing the compensation range and general description of other compensation and benefits that the company in good faith believes it might pay and/or offer for this position based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities in addition to internal equity and geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, or federal law.
Additional Requirements
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Additional Details
Required Education: Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent Experience
Minimum Years Experience: 12+ years
Travel Required: 25%
Job Status: Regular
Employee Type: Full
Primary Location: SALT LAKE CITY – MILLROCK
All locations: US-CA-Los Angeles, US-CA-Orange, US-DC-Washington, US-FL-Miami, US-FL-Tampa, US-MA-Boston, US-NC-Charlotte, US-UT-Salt Lake City
About WSP WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 12,000 employees in over 200 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper. www.wsp.com
WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on a providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.
At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?
WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.
The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.
