How HYDRA works
Hybrid Defect Recognition and Analysis
A unified sensor pipeline that produces a metrically accurate, fully navigated 3D digital twin in real time. Live on the surface, as the survey runs.
The HYDRA pipeline
Six subsystems. One coherent output. Hover over a node to explore each layer of the architecture.
Hover over a node to explore the HYDRA pipeline.
Not just SLAM. Proprietary multi-modal fusion
Most subsea SLAM systems rely on a single sensor modality. Stereo vision in clear water, or sonar when visibility drops. That means data gaps, manual stitching, and post-processing to fill in what was missed. HYDRA takes a fundamentally different approach.
HYDRA fuses stereo vision, multibeam sonar, DVL/INS, and depth simultaneously, in real time. When one modality degrades, the others compensate automatically. Periods of poor visibility don't break the model or lose position. The system maintains tracking through sonar and inertial data until visual conditions recover.
Positional drift, the single biggest challenge in subsea SLAM, is addressed through a proprietary correction methodology that maintains metric accuracy throughout the survey. Loop closure serves as validation, not correction. No post-processing alignment. The model is dimensionally accurate as it's built.
Stereo Vision
DeepSea SmartSight MV1000
Photogrammetric 3D reconstruction with colour texture. Primary geometry source in clear water conditions.
Multibeam Sonar
Oculus M750d dual-frequency
Geometric localisation in zero visibility. Structure-relative positioning and visual blackout continuity.
DVL / INS
Nortek Nucleus 1000
Velocity-aided navigation and attitude reference. Sensor fusion anchor for continuous positioning.
Depth
Pressure-based absolute Z reference
Compensates DVL altitude limitations and provides robust depth registration throughout the survey.
Defect Recognition.
Utilising AI deep learning and object recognition, HYDRA automatically identifies and classifies defects directly from the fused sensor data as the survey runs. Corrosion, marine growth, anode depletion, coating loss, and structural anomalies are detected, measured, and georeferenced without manual intervention.
The models are trained on real subsea inspection data, not generic image sets. Every finding is flagged with position, measurement, and classification confidence, giving the reviewing engineer a structured dataset, not a video to scrub through.
This is not a post-processing step. Recognition runs live, in parallel with the SLAM pipeline. Findings appear in the model as the ROV moves through the structure.
Live
Real-time detection
AI
Deep learning classification
∞
Temporal depth
Instantaneous Deliverable
Every HYDRA survey produces a structured inspection report generated directly from the SLAM model and sensor data, not from handwritten field notes or retrospective video review.
Reports include automated CP potential assessment, marine growth classification and thickness estimation, corrosion mapping, scour depth measurement, dimensional survey outputs, and structural condition summary. Each finding is tied to a precise georeferenced location in the 3D model.
Every report is delivered in a structured, engineer-ready format, ready to review and act on. Consistent quality is a system property, not a personnel dependency.
CP Assessment
Potential mapping · Anode condition
Marine growth
Classification · Thickness · Coverage
Corrosion
Surface condition · Pitting · Coating loss
Scour
Depth · Extent · Trend over time
Measurements
Dimensional · Gap · Clearance
Structural
Condition summary · Anomaly register
Your single point of record
Every inspection dataset is stored in HYDRA's native cloud database, giving you a permanent, searchable record of every survey, every finding, and every measurement across your entire asset portfolio.
HYDRA can serve as the definitive point of record for subsea integrity data, or integrate directly with your existing integrity management system through API. Your data, your way, with no manual re-entry.
Cloud database
Full hosted solution. HYDRA becomes your integrity management database. All survey data, temporal records, and reporting accessible from a single platform.
Direct integration
Connect HYDRA outputs directly to your existing integrity management databases. Structured data, consistent format, no middleware required.
Ready to run HYDRA on your next campaign?
Talk to us about your asset, your survey window, and what you need the data to do.