Concept and demonstrator for modular pressure tolerant autonomous underwater vehicle

Sea and deep sea investigations depend on the availability of efficient and affordable technologies. Especially subsea surveys with underwater vehicles are very cost intensive. In this work we present the concept and the development of a modular underwater vehicle which is easily adaptable to changing tasks specific to deep sea research missions. Different aspects of sub-systems of the vehicle are discussed, i.e. the modular concept, energy supply, buoyancy technique and materials, pressure resistant electronics. First performance tests of a technology demonstrator are described.