CIO Ron Kolkman of Rijkswaterstaat emphasized that the collaboration between the various parties went very well, “It’s impressive to see how we were able to realize this vessel in about a year. The USV is a great Dutch product to be proud of.”
Compact High-Tech USV for Difficult-to-Access Waters
The DUS V1875 sets a new benchmark for autonomous hydrographic surveying in inland waters, especially in locations that are difficult to access. Developed and manufactured in the Netherlands, this compact and fully electric USV is designed for rapid deployment in locations that are difficult or unsafe to survey with traditional vessels.
“The delivery marks an important step towards further automation and sustainability in water management,” said Fedor Ester, Managing Director of Demcon unmanned systems.
The DUS V1875 is equipped with a robust HDPE hull and a modular design featuring an interchangeable moonpool for easy interchange of survey equipment. This design supports a wide range of sensors, including multibeam echosounders, side-scan sonars, Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCP), and water quality instruments. The first version is fitted with an ADCP, enabling precise measurements of water flow and discharge, and the volume of water passing through. Discharge is a key metric for understanding river and canal currents and an essential parameter for determining safe dike heights. Thanks to its flexibility, the vessel is suitable for diverse measurement and monitoring tasks, delivering reliable, detailed data for future-proof water management.
Built for reliability, safety, and sustainability
This small USV type is engineered with strict attention to operational safety, reliability, and minimal environmental impact. Thanks to its fully electric propulsion, the platform operates with zero emissions, while redundant systems and multiple safety features continuously monitor both the vessel and its surroundings to ensure safe operations. Advanced capabilities such as automatic collision avoidance and Dynamic Positioning enable highly precise autonomous navigation. This makes reliable deployment possible on regular waterways as well as in complex, confined environments, even beyond the operator’s direct line of sight.
In addition to its advanced technical capabilities, the USV is a sustainable alternative that actively contributes to reducing emissions from conventional vessels. By significantly lowering the ecological footprint of Rijkswaterstaat’s fleet, the platform reinforces the organization’s sustainable and future-oriented ambitions.
Image of the autonomous software DUMS. (Image credit: Rijkswaterstaat)
Demonstration and Next steps
During the event, Rijkswaterstaat and Demcon unmanned systems showcased the DUS V1875 in action in the Amsterdam Rijnkanaal. From the vessel Flevomeer, the USV was launched, followed by an extensive demonstration. Guests could watch live camera feeds from the USV in a van on the quay, while experts explained the measurement systems and capabilities of the new vessel. The moment was festively concluded with a symbolic handover and a joint toast.
Director of the Rijksrederij, Willem de Vries, said: “This vessel is an example of how we can integrate modern technologies into our fleet. The delivery of this USV marks a new way of thinking about how we can provide services for our clients as innovatively and sustainably as possible.”
The next phase of the collaboration will focus on process integration and training.
Flevomeer retrieves the USV from the water. (Image credit: Rijkswaterstaat)
