SMD, a company based in Wallsend near Newcastle-upon-Tyne, is well established in the development of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for use in underwater environments, specializing in cable laying equipment. They have an ambition to autonomize some of their operations and recognize that assurance of the software is key to being able to confidently deploy such advanced technologies.
The D-RisQ automatic verification technologies cover system and software requirements, design and source code and provide evidence to support a safety case.
Nick Tudor, CEO and Co-Founder of D-RisQ said: “The relationship with SMD has been excellent. We have helped them to undertake initial specification and design work for their autonomy program and subsequently provided them with our high productivity tools to continue to explore and develop their innovative technology. We look forward to seeing the results of their efforts in the water soon.”
Mark Collins, SMD’s Innovation Director, commented: “Partnering with D‑RisQ strengthens our ability to deliver assured, high‑performance autonomous systems. Their tools give us the confidence that the software behind our next‑generation systems is built on solid ground, which is essential as we push further into autonomous operations. It’s helping our team move faster, without compromising on safety or reliability. We’re excited to keep building on this work together and bring these new capabilities into the water.”
D-RisQ is supported by Future Planet Capital Regional through the Midland Engine Investment Fund (MEIF), which has helped the firm to accelerate its growth and allow for more involvement in providing its software tools to commercial businesses, such as SMD.
Andy Bard, Portfolio Manager at Future Planet Capital Regional, added: “D‑RisQ products, which center around the verification of critical software systems, clearly demonstrate the leading innovation we support through the MEIF Fund. The partnership with SMD is an important example of the deployment of Midlands‑born technology making a global impact in subsea autonomy.”
