Kailua, Hawaii Patent of the Year – 2024/2025
Tridentis Advanced Marine Vehicles LLC has been awarded the 2024/2025 Patent of the Year for its groundbreaking hybrid unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV).. Their invention, detailed in U.S. Patent No. 12077269, titled ‘Hybrid unmanned underwater vehicle’, employs reconfigurable thruster technology to seamlessly switch between long-range cruising and precise maneuvering modes.
This innovation addresses a longstanding challenge in underwater robotics: balancing endurance with agility. Traditional autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) excel at covering distances efficiently but lack fine control, while remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) offer precision but are limited in range. Tridentis’s design introduces movable thrusters that can align parallel for streamlined travel or pivot to intersecting angles for enhanced maneuverability.
The vehicle’s adaptability eliminates the need for separate propulsion systems, reducing weight and conserving energy. This efficiency extends mission durations and broadens operational capabilities. Applications span scientific research, offshore industry inspections, and military operations where both extensive coverage and detailed navigation are crucial.
By integrating this dual-mode functionality, Tridentis sets a new standard in UUV design, offering a versatile solution that meets diverse underwater mission requirements without compromising performance.