Picotech News

May 2020

PicoMB-120 in the Arctic

At the end of last year, the PicoMB120 was used by a combined team from the Centre for Coastal and Ocean Mapping at the University of New Hampshire, NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and Stockholm University abord the Swedish icebreaker Oden. Mapping the area around the Ryder glacier, researchers were looking for patterns and causes of historical changes to the glacier. This knowledge can help them understand how the marine cryosphere is affected by climate change.

The PicoMB120 system, fitted on an Echoboat USV, was transported by helicopter and used to get complete maps of the bathymetry of lakes surrounding a fjord which then guided the sampling of their bottoms for climate history. The system was also used to map near-shore areas to find a series of “old beaches” which indicate when sea level changes  have occurred.

April 2020

The New PicoMB-130

We’re pleased to unveil the first pictures of the world’s smallest integrated Multibeam Echosounder – our new PicoMB-130! 

The PicoMB-130’s features are as follows:

• Integrated Multibeam Echosounder, Applanix POS MV GNSS+IMU, acquisition PC, autopilot and SVS in the smallest form factor.
• Rugged fully over-molded digital transducers immune to galvanic corrosion.
• Ultra-low power consumption for long endurance on LiPos. 
• May be pole mounted or installed on man-portable USVs such as PicoCAT or HyDrone.
• 256 beams, 300-400kHz, 1.4 degree beamwidth across track and along track.
• Large SWAP and drag savings over our outgoing PicoMB-120.

We look forward to sharing more photos and information very soon!

April 2020

Introducing the PicoCAT

Here’s a sneak peek of our new PicoCAT man-portable USV for bathymetric survey…

This USV comes with a choice of sensor: Multibeam (PicoPOD-130 or -140 with integral Applanix POS MV) or Singlebeam (Echologger with Trimble, Leica, Topcon).  It is tough, light and precision molded from HDPE here in the UK, featuring ISO O-ring hatches plus switches and connectors on blended coamings for maximum waterproofing.  It uses reliable, proven COTS propulsion and RC -High capacity LiPos as well as having class-leading sensor power consumption for long endurance.  The PicoCAT comes with a free open source autopilot (PicoPilot) and its efficient parametric hull design features stainless fittings and a collapsible frame for easy transportation. Flight cases for the kit are also available.

March 2020

PicoMB getting results for NOAA

The PicoMB120 is the first USV multibeam for production survey being used by NOAA (the US’s National Ocean and Atmostpheric Administration).

NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey have been using the system in areas like the Chesapeake Bay along the Eastern Shore of Maryland. You can find out more about their work here.

Our latest multibeam system, the PicoMB130, will be available in the coming weeks. We’re excited about Picotech products continuing to be chosen by the most well-respected survey agencies all over the world!

Image credit: NOAA

February 2020

PicoPOD Survey Data- the latest images

Our PicoPOD systems, featuring the PicoMB120, have been back out on the water, producing excellent images and data for users. The image on the right shows a flooded quarry in Somerset using PicoPOD mounted on a Hydrone, and below you can see results from a post-dredge survey of an aggregates quarry in the South of England.

We’re looking forward to showcasing more great survey results in 2020 as we roll out the PicoMB130 and the PicoCAT. Watch this space!

December 2019

Picotech Ltd expand to new premises

Picotech Ltd are excited to announce their expansion into new premises just outside the historic town of Kingsbridge, Devon.  Picotech Ltd will occupy a double unit at the recently-built Torr Trade Park on the Torr Quarry industrial estate.

The premises will allow Picotech Ltd to increase production in line with continued expansion of the business and will serve us well as our growth continues. The site sits near the foot of Dartmoor National Park and within easy reach of the Devon coast as well as the university cities of Plymouth and Exeter.

Suppliers and customers will be informed of our new contact details in forthcoming correspondence.

August 2019

BeamworX Software Fully Integrated with PicoMB Multibeam

Last week BeamworX announced they had just finished the NavAQ control interface for the PicoMB multibeam.  It is available in BeamworX Suite 2019.3.

BeamworX is a software engineering and consultancy company located in The Netherlands, specialising in the Hydrographic Surveying and Offshore market. It’s great to have them onboard!

August 2019

Picotech Ltd Launches PicoPOD

Picotech Ltd have launched the only Man-Portable Multibeam USV on the Market: PicoPOD

Read our latest press release to find out more!

Picotech Press Release 01082019