World’s first Wireless Underground Robots for First Responders (WURFR)
WFS announce collaboration with Allen-Vanguard, trusted global leader in providing solutions for defeating terrorist/extremist threats, to develop and demonstrate the world’s first Wireless Underground Robots for First Responders (WURFR) robotic vehicle.
From surveillance, to suspicious material identification, to detection of hazardous gases, robots can gain situational awareness in inaccessible locations or where it is not safe for humans to go. These robots can be remotely operated, and sent in advance to a dangerous or unknown environment to significantly reduce risk for a human first responder team.
First on the scene after an emergency call such as for a bomb explosion, terrorist attack or fire, robots are often critical in this situation, but First Responders are currently unable to communicate reliably with robots operating underground, in collapsed structures, and similar situations. Today's vehicles operate with tethers or 'breadcrumb' repeaters (small transmission devices deployed like breadcrumbs) which can limit usability in an emergency situation.
This is the first attempt to fully integrate WFS wireless technology into a commercial robotic platform and will demonstrate a robot operating underground. The wireless technology will enable the development of robots that can then be used in tunnels, collapsed buildings, sewerage networks and in shallow water - anywhere it might be unsafe for a human to go.
The robot will use WFS' wireless modems to provide 2-way communications, networking and location capabilities through-ground and through-water and will enable the robot to stream video, collect sensor data and act as a repeater for underground voice communications. With wireless communications and location/tracking capabilities, First Responders are able to deploy robots for search and rescue activities more widely, more rapidly and more safely. The WURFR system will;
• Improve safety for First Responder teams
• Reduce costs of inspecting and clearing emergency locations
• No tether, increased flexibility of deployment
The WURFR system is expected to become a core element of the First Responder's toolkit, improving public safety and efficiency during incidents.
WFS delivers revolutionary remote control solution to WaveJet Personal Water Propulsion Systems
Using penetrating radio technology, the solution maintains two-way communications between an operator wristband and tranceiver, commanding an engine shutdown if the operator is separated from the board.
WFS Defense and WFS Technologies, world leading suppliers of through-water wireless using radio frequency (RF) technology for communication and navigation, have completed delivery of handheld wireless remote control systems to WaveJet Technologies.
WaveJet Technologies of Santee, CA has recently introduced a series of Personal Water Propulsion (PWP) Surfboards, Stand Up Paddleboards (SUPs) and Water Rescue Boards. Powered by the patented WaveJet PWP pod, surfing’s first miniaturized jet drive technology; the boards make 8 to 10 knots on still water, which is 3 to 5 times faster than paddling. The WaveJet PWP pod is designed for use in an open variety of boards and personal watercraft from kayaks and kiteboards to small watercraft and scuba diving. WaveJet technology is a quiet, safe and green alternative to outboard motors and other external power sources. Read full release here
Latest Data from Dominion Gooses Reef
Bottom water quality data is delivered to a buoy via WFS wireless communications links and transmitted to the internet by a CDMA link on the buoy. Click here for the latest information
and select Gooses Reef.
WFS-led Project shortlisted for The Engineer Technology and Innovation Awards 2010
WFS, Swansea University and Valeport Ltd have been shortlisted for The Engineer: Technology and Innovation Awards 2010 for their collaborative Networked Coastal Erosion System project. This prestigious awards scheme is run by The Engineer Magazine, in conjunction with main sponsor BAE Systems.
WFS Defense and Partners deliver first radio-enabled UGV for through-ground C4ISR
August 13, 2010. WFS’s Terratext® and Terratooth® wireless radio systems were integrated into an iRobot® Negotiator® to provide communication, location, docking and wireless power transfer functions.
WFS delivers wireless capability to AXYS WatchKeeper™ buoy for $2.5 million NOAA contract
August 5, 2010. WFS Technologies has successfully delivered wireless communication capability into a WatchKeeper™ buoy from AXYS Technologies Inc. (AXYS). The WatchKeeper™ buoy is part of a 4 year, $2.5 million contract with the US National Oceanographic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for the ongoing monitoring of the Chesapeake Bay.
Pioneering new frontiers: WFS completes field trials of wireless communication through ice
July 14, 2010. WFS and Kongsberg have completed successful field trials of wireless communication through ice. The trials demonstrated wireless communication from sea water, through meters of ice and into the air (up to 1km) using radio frequency technology.
Wireless communications with AUVs and sensors under ice is a breakthrough that is anticipated to deliver substantial cost savings in environmental monitoring, exploration and production activities the world's ice regions of Canada, the USA, Scandinavia, and Russia. The use of AUVs under ice will greatly increase knowledge about topography, oceanography, marine life and marine systems in arctic areas.
Diving into Ocean Innovation - Technology Ireland May 2010
Anthony King reports on Irish innovation in the ocean, and a new strategy and innovation cluster seeking to marry marine resources with established ICT capability.
Broad areas the SMARTOCEAN Innovation Cluster seeks to target include emerging niche markets such as marine renewable energy, environmental monitoring and water management as well as established markets like oil and gas, aquaculture, maritime transport tourism and coastal erosion.
Expansion of WFS global network of Partners
WFS expands global presence with the recruitment of four new Channel Partners in Europe across the territories of Italy, Norway, Spain & Portugal and Benelux.
The new partners in the company’s Energy & Environment business, include Nautilus Oceanica S.L covering Spain & Portugal (http://www.nautilusoceanica.com/), Seabed BV covering Benelux (http://www.seabed.nl) , API srl covering Italy (http://www.api-automation.it/), and LateraL AS covering Norway (http://www.lateral.no). These new territory appointments will support WFS Technologies in expanding the reach of through-water and through-ground wireless RF technology across the globe by targeting applications in Environmental Monitoring, Oceanography and Hydrometry.
WFS Technologies wins “2010 Spotlight on New Technology” Award
WFS Technologies is proud to be awarded the “2010 Spotlight on New Technology” Award by The Offshore Technology Conference (OTC)
The awards will be presented on 3 May, at OTC in Houston, to recognize innovative new products that provide significant impact for offshore exploration and production. WFS Technologies’ entry was judged to be: New, Innovative and Proven, and to have Broad Interest, as well as Significant Impact. WFS Technologies submission for this award was based on SeaPAR (Sea Power Acoustic & Radio – to be fully launched at OTC 2010), the world's first subsea wireless data and power unit to incorporate high bandwidth radio communications, long range acoustic communications and wireless power transfer in a single package. SeaPAR is designed to be interfaced to a range of subsea assets (both fixed and mobile) and sensors to enable optimum wireless through-water communication in a range of situations. “The Spotlight on New Technology Awards underscores the advanced technology that is required to find and produce offshore resources in increasingly harsh, deepwater environments. The 2010 award recipients represent a broad range of technologies and solutions. The Spotlight awards have become a highlight of OTC,” said Susan Cunningham, 2010 OTC chairperson. Ian Crowther, General Manger of WFS’ Energy & Environment business comments: “Though we have been honoured with many awards, the OTC Spotlight on New Technology Award is an incredible achievement for us. As a relatively new entrant to the subsea sector it is tremendous to be recognized by established leaders in the industry for bringing innovation and delivering significant commercial value.” Visit WFS Technologies at OTC, booth 2363-2, 3-6 May 2010, Reliant Park, Houston to find out more about the award winning technology.