German company looking for AUV providers

German power and water supply company Fraunhofer AST has announced it will go through a tender procedure to find suitable service providers to help plan, build and supply an automated underwater vehicle (AUV) for future exploration projects.

AUVs are used in the oil and gas industry to make a detailed map of the sea floor before the construction of subsea infrastructure, making sure it is cost effective and bears minimum impact on the area's ecosystem.

Fraunhofer have listed the preference for the AUV, including specifications on maximum ping rate, maximum opening angle and useable frequencies.

The deadline for the submission of bids is late October.