Aberdeen-based HonuWorx Acquires Cutting-Edge VALOR ROV for Subsea Robotics Deployment Platform

The innovative subsea robotics firm HonuWorx Ltd, headquartered in Aberdeen, has recently procured a state-of-the-art VALOR remotely operated vehicle (ROV), which will play a pivotal role in its Loggerhead subsea robotics deployment platform.

Manufactured by Rovtech Solutions, based in Aberdeen and Barrow-in-Furness, the VALOR ROV represents a new generation of compact inspection class vehicles. These ROVs can be equipped with a wide array of tools and sensors that were previously exclusive to larger electro-hydraulic ROVs.

HonuWorx’s strategic objective is to commence the construction of the inaugural commercial Loggerhead pilot system in Aberdeen later this year. This system will undergo a series of offshore commercial tests in 2027. The recent acquisition of the VALOR ROV is part of an Offshore Wind Growth Partnership (OWGP) Innovation Project, aimed at expediting systems integration engineering.

One of the distinguishing features of the VALOR ROV is its cloud-control architecture, which enables remote ‘over the horizon’ operation, akin to airborne drones. This cutting-edge technology sets HonuWorx apart as an underwater robotics pioneer.

Prior to this acquisition, HonuWorx successfully validated the Loggerhead technology through a comprehensive prototype trial conducted offshore in Canada. During this trial, an ROV was deployed from an autonomous submersible mothership platform, with system control managed from shore. This milestone is believed to be a world-first demonstration in the field of subsea robotics.

In a statement, the company emphasized the significant environmental and operational benefits of the Loggerhead system, stating, “The deployment of ROVs has remained unchanged in the offshore energy industry for the past four decades, typically relying on large, crewed, fossil fuel-powered surface vessels for transportation. By eliminating the need for surface ships, the all-electric uncrewed Loggerhead system has the potential to significantly reduce emissions, costs, and risks associated with underwater robotics operations. For each vessel displaced, Loggerhead will mitigate the equivalent emissions of 4,000 petrol or diesel cars.”

With the acquisition of the VALOR ROV and the ongoing development of the Loggerhead platform, HonuWorx is poised to revolutionize subsea robotics operations and contribute to a more sustainable future for the offshore energy industry.