The story of how we started
Some years ago, deep inside an arctic fjord, a small team of workers struggled thru a winter storm; their mission was to keep the production of fresh salmon safe and clean out in the fjord.
They worked with heavy machinery, high-pressure systems, hydraulics, and massive generators and ROVs. Everything to have clean and safe nets, ensuring good conditions for the salmon.
12 x 5000square meters of nets were cleaned and inspected under that storm.
A machine could do the same!
One of many concept sketches of how a robot could be designed.
A lot of equipment and a boat were invested in starting the business.
"The awesome fish farmer Ballangen Sjofarm gained belief in me in the start; they shared my vision to automate the net cleaning and inspection, and gave me enough work to overcome the first hard years. Without them, this would be another story"
Mikkel, founder.
“At this stage, we started testing the first concept prototypes. We collaborated with specialists from Sintef Ocean and built different prototypes. It was exciting times, and our testing established proof that the concept of constant cleaning worked and prevented the biofilm of marine fouling from growing on the nets.”
Mikkel, Founder of Probotic
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Our first testing was basic concept tests. After some weeks we realized that constant gentle cleaning, kept the nets clean, - this was awesome! This actually could work! A great milestone and a motivation burst.
Now the name "Probotic" is born. With lessons learned from our initial testing ad, we could see the solution in sight. With a grant of 130 000 EUR from Innovation Norway, a new patent filed, we sat out with new hopes.
Many Prototypes are designed, and we start with digital testing with hydrodynamic flow models. Now we are closing in and verifying more and more of our different parts of the total concept.
Probotic
[ri-loom]
To relight or rekindle (a light, flame, etc.)
Design and prototype are evolving simultaneously as serious investors capitalize on their beliefs in the idea. The Probotic team expands with both technical engineers and software developers. Tests show that we are closing in on a robust concept.
Norwegian Seafood Research Fund (FHF)
to the development of our function:
Autonomous Net Inspection.
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“QUOTE custumer.”
Lars R. Lovund - Chief Adviser FHF
The development of the Probot underwater drone provides a preventive method that's a more natural and gentle way to clean the nets and hinders biofilm creation on the fish nets entirely; This is possible by constantly cleaning around the clock. The only times the drones will be paused are during battery charging or additional inspection by the operator.
“QUOTE custumer.”
BOSS BOSSERE
The first pilot starts in June .
• Jet-propulsion system works in real conditions and enables seaweed to flush thru the water jet.
• Probot can operate in 90cm/sec of water current when in cleaning mode.
• Probot can operate 180cm/sec of water current when in inspecting mode.
• The submersible docking station holds the drone secured in place and has gone thru one storm with measured one meter/second of water current.
• The hydrodynamics of the drone allows for smooth movement in the water.
• Live video and sensor data from drones are now available.
• Beta version of detection algorithm already finds holes.
month of• No dealbreakers after a month of testing.
“The time is now! Automating the hardest of underwater operations is just the start! in the years to come, Probotic is going to be Tesla underwater!."
Mikkel, Founder of Probotic
