SMD Horizon is the cloud-based platform set to transform subsea projects globally. Effortlessly connecting onshore teams with offshore vehicles, it provides a safer and more cost-effective way to operate underwater, bringing significant benefits to a range of industries – from oil and gas to telecoms to renewable energy.
In the year since we first announced our ongoing development of this innovative technology, we have introduced a number of improvements. Today Andrew Ambrose-Thurman, our Lead Engineer (Autonomous Systems) from the Innovation team, is sharing the latest updates.
SMD Horizon: 12 Months On
SMD Horizon is a culmination of our passion for technological innovation to improve underwater operations combined with 50+ years of engineering excellence. Over the past 12 months, we have showcased this technology at numerous events and trade shows, gaining insight from industry professionals and adjusting our development plans accordingly.
A key focus for us this year has been creating a personalised experience, which yields significant benefits from both a security and usability perspective. We have subsequently made some exciting improvements, including:
- Individual user profiles. We understand that each mission involves a diverse crew of pilots, co-pilots, supervisors, scientists and many more, all of whom require access to different data sets. With user profiles, the fine-grained tuning of displayed information means SMD Horizon can be tailored, creating a personalised experience. Live data, historical data, pilot communication, live video and ROV piloting can be added to and removed from each user profile with ease.
- A tiered security system. This system ensures that only approved operators gain access to the missions via their user profile, meaning a single Horizon system can be safely shared with a host of users, without compromising data privacy.
- Custom dashboard. While one of SMD Horizon’s key benefits is the depth of information it provides in real-time, we understand that in some circumstances, engaging with all of this data could be counterproductive. We have therefore created a customisable dashboard system that enables each user to arrange on-screen information for the task at hand. With this unique arrangement saved automatically, users are greeted with their personal layout each time they log in.
- Watchdog system. To ensure safety of staff and operations, SMD Horizon has a state-of-the-art watchdog system. The software includes a user interaction timer meaning that no matter where the pilot is – busy office environment, control room or working in isolation, if an emergency situation occurs, the system’s ROV piloting facilities would halt, and the user would be logged out. This reduces the risk of vehicle crashes without the need for third-party observation.
- SMD Sentio. SMD Horizon can be used in conjunction with our highly realistic training simulator, SMD Sentio. By replicating the most complex subsea environments, SMD Sentio enables pilots to safely trial operations and techniques, without risking a costly mistake.
A transition from offshore to onshore represents the future of subsea operations globally. By increasing convenience for crew, reducing costs for companies, and mitigating health and safety risks, SMD Horizon is the key to sustainable operations across a host of underwater industries.
If you’d like to come and see SMD Horizon for yourself, feel free to call in at our Wallsend Headquarters, where you can take a seat in the chair for your own personal demo of this innovative technology.
For more information on SMD Horizon, click here, or contact Neville Varley, our Business Development Manager for new technologies.
