Underwater inspection technologies are essential for offshore energy, marine engineering, and subsea communication infrastructure. From oil pipelines to fiber-optic cables, operators rely on compact, camera-equipped underwater vehicles to conduct visual inspections with high efficiency and accuracy.
Because GNSS signals cannot penetrate water, these underwater platforms require a high-precision inertial navigation system (INS) to maintain stable heading and correct camera orientation throughout the mission. This article introduces a typical application scenario and explains how our Merak-M1 INS supports underwater inspection tasks.
1. Application Scenario: Compact Underwater Inspection Vehicle
Modern inspection vehicles—typically small submarine-type platforms—are widely used for:
Offshore and near-shore pipeline inspection
Oil and gas subsea pipeline monitoring
Underwater power and communication cable inspection
General seabed visual surveys
These units operate underwater for 1–2 hours, carrying onboard cameras and lighting systems to capture real-time video. Since the INS is installed inside the vehicle’s waterproof compartment or sealed electronics bay, it provides precise motion and orientation sensing during the entire mission.
In many cases, the underwater unit collaborates with a surface support vessel. The vessel provides positioning data, while the onboard INS offers heading and attitude information crucial for maneuvering and image stabilization.
2. Technical Requirements for INS in Underwater Vehicles
For underwater inspection equipment, the inertial navigation system must meet the following requirements:
Environmental Integration Requirements
Installed inside a sealed, customer-provided waterproof enclosure
Compatible with marine-grade connectors and internal wiring harnesses
Resistant to marine vibration and operational temperature conditions
Performance Requirements
Heading accuracy: 0.1°–0.2°
Stable pitch and roll output for camera stabilization
Reliable performance during low-speed movement, hovering, or drift
Electrical & Interface Requirements
Power supply options: 24 V DC or 115 V / 60 Hz
Data output interfaces:
NMEA-0183
RS485
Support for circular metal connectors and custom internal cabling
These specifications ensure that the INS can function precisely once integrated into the vehicle’s protected compartment.
3. Recommended Solution: Merak-M1 Inertial Navigation System
The Merak-M1 INS is well suited for compact underwater inspection platforms due to its accuracy, reliability, and versatile interface options.
Key Advantages
High-Precision Heading (0.1°–0.2°)
Ensures accurate tracking along subsea pipelines and cables.
Compact Size for Small Underwater Vehicles
Easy to install inside sealed internal compartments.
Multiple Interfaces for Marine Systems
Supports NMEA-183, RS485, and other standard communication protocols.
Works Seamlessly With Surface-Vessel Cooperative Navigation
INS provides attitude and heading; the vessel supplies global position.
The Merak-M1 maintains stable heading and attitude output even when the vehicle moves slowly or hovers, ensuring clear, steady video streams during inspection tasks.
4. Integration Options for Underwater Platforms
To provide a complete inspection capability, the INS can be integrated with:
HD / 4K underwater cameras
LED lighting systems
Tethered or fiber communication modules
GNSS receivers on the surface vessel
Custom waterproof wiring harnesses and sealed bays
These combinations support a broad range of scientific, industrial, and offshore inspection missions.
5. Supporting Modern Underwater Robotics
As maritime infrastructure expands, compact underwater inspection vehicles equipped with high-accuracy inertial navigation will continue to play key roles in:
Pipeline maintenance
Cable inspection and repair
Marine engineering oversight
Environmental monitoring
Harbor, port, and hull inspection
Our engineering team provides complete support for integration, including interface documentation, connector customization, and system configuration.
If you are developing underwater inspection vehicles, ROVs, AUVs, or subsea monitoring platforms, we welcome you to contact us for tailored inertial navigation solutions optimized for marine environments.
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