Monitoring USV HydroBoat 1200

multi-sensorbathymetric monitoringautonomous

Overview
The HydroBoat 1200 is a multi-sensor USV platform designed for complex hydrographic surveys and environmental monitoring. Its central 240 mm moon pool accepts ADCPs, side-scan sonar, dual-frequency sounders and multi-parameter probes. The compact carbon-fibre hull measures 1185 mm and the bare platform weight is 25 kg (excluding batteries). The unit is deployable and operational in under 5 minutes.

Key features

• Modular, multi-mission USV platform for hydrography and environmental monitoring
• 240 mm full-depth moon pool for mounting ADCPs, side-scan sonar and multi-parameter probes with pass-through cabling
• Carbon-fibre hull shaped via CFD for stable and accurate survey performance
• Payload capacity up to 25 kg; weight excluding batteries 25 kg
• Android-based handheld controller with SLHydro USV software pre-installed
• Two brushless waterjet thrusters (no rudder) and propeller protection grids

Autonomous navigation
INS/GNSS fusion algorithm continuously measures velocity and orientation changes to maintain accurate positioning where GNSS is degraded (under bridges, in canyons, etc.). Adaptive flow control and GNSS/RTK autopilot follow planned survey lines with centimetre-class accuracy under current and wind influence.

Sensors and compatibility
The 240 mm moon pool is a standardised interface compatible with leading hydrographic and environmental sensors:

• ADCP: SonTek RiverPro 1200, Teledyne RDI StreamPro, SonTek M9 — river current velocity and discharge; foam sleeves for RP1200, RDI and M9 included
• Side-scan sonar: seabed imaging and submerged object detection; data pass-through via moon pool cabling
• Dual-frequency sounder: deep-water bathymetry and sediment profiling (200/24 kHz option, range up to 600 m when fitted)
• Multi-parameter probe: turbidity, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity and temperature for continuous water-quality monitoring

Integrated systems
Android operating system with SLHydro USV software pre-installed on the controller. Integrated single-beam echo sounder (standard single frequency; dual-frequency optional). 360° omnidirectional PTZ camera and millimetre-wave radar for anti-collision and obstacle detection. Radio 2.4 GHz (1.3 km) with unlimited extended range via 4G.

Frequently asked questions

• Which ADCP instruments are compatible? The 240 mm moon pool fits SonTek RiverPro 1200, Teledyne RDI StreamPro and SonTek M9; three foam sleeves are included. Other ADCPs require dimensional verification.
• How does HydroBoat 1200 differ from HydroBoat 990? The 990 is optimised for single-beam bathymetry; the 1200 is multi-mission with a moon pool, larger hull (1185 mm vs 1035 mm) and higher payload (up to 25 kg).
• Can bathymetry and ADCP be acquired simultaneously? Yes; the integrated echo sounder and moon pool-mounted ADCP operate simultaneously with data synchronised via GPS in SLHydro software.
• What is endurance with an ADCP installed? Endurance is slightly reduced with ADCP payload; typical real-world performance is 3.5–4 h per battery at 1.5 m/s (standard endurance 4.5 h at 1.5 m/s).
• Can HydroBoat 1200 monitor water quality? Yes — by installing a multi-parameter probe in the moon pool to measure turbidity, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity and temperature.

Specifications

• Dimensions (L × W × H): 1185 × 593 × 397 mm
• Weight (excl. batteries): 25 kg
• Max payload: 25 kg
• Material: Carbon fibre hull; rubber bumper
• Weather resistance: Wind force 3 / Wave force 2
• Waterproofing: IP67
• Moon pool: 240 mm diameter
• Thrusters: 2 × brushless waterjet (no rudder)
• Maximum speed: 6 m/s
• Endurance (1 battery): 4.5 h at 1.5 m/s (typical with ADCP 3.5–4 h)
• Batteries included: 2 × 28.8 V / 34.3 Ah (with transport cases)
• Operating system: Android
• Software: SLHydro USV (pre-installed on Android controller); SLHydro Sounder for Windows (downloadable)
• Radio range: 1.3 km (2.4 GHz); extended range: unlimited via 4G
• Camera: 360° omnidirectional PTZ video
• Anti-collision sensor: Millimetre-wave radar, 10–30 m
• Battery safety: Charge display, thermal/over-current/short-circuit protection
• Safety functions: Auto-return, shallow water reverse, obstacle avoidance
• GNSS/RTK constellations: GPS, BDS, GLONASS, Galileo, L-Band
• RTK accuracy (H): ±8 mm + 1 ppm RMS
• RTK accuracy (V): ±15 mm + 1 ppm RMS
• Heading accuracy: 0.2° @ 1 m baseline
• INS accuracy: 2.1°/h, < 1 m/20 s
• Update rate: 200 Hz
• Integrated single-beam echo sounder (std / opt): Frequency 200 kHz (std); dual-frequency 200 / 24 kHz (opt); Beam angle 6.9° ± 2° (std) — 6.9° / 34.1° ± 3° (dual); Depth range 0.2–200 m (std) — 0.2–200 / 0.8–600 m (dual); Accuracy ±1 cm + 0.1% h (std) — ±1 cm / ±10 cm + 0.1% h (dual)
• Sensors compatibility summary: ADCP (SonTek, TRDI, M9), Side-scan sonar, Dual-frequency sounder (200/24 kHz up to 600 m), Multi-parameter probes for water quality
• Standard package highlights: HydroBoat 1200 with integrated single-beam echo sounder; 2.4 GHz, 4G and UHF antennas; 2 battery chargers (100–240 V); 2 batteries 28.8 V / 34.3 Ah with transport cases; Android controller box with Type-C charger; propeller protection grids; ADCP fastener pack and foam sleeves for RP1200/RDI/M9; tool kit; hard-shell transport case (140 × 72 × 72 cm); SLHydro USV software pre-installed on controller.