Versatile and adaptable – MUM research project conquers the deep sea

– Partners from industry and research join forces to develop modular underwater vehicle MUM

– Modular design and emission-free fuel cell propulsion system permit a variety of applications and long ranges

– Project funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy

The weather conditions on the world’s oceans are often rough and difficult to forecast. To ensure that work on the open seas is nevertheless safe for people and does not harm the environment, a team of engineers from thyssenkrupp, Berlin Technical University, the University of Rostock, ATLAS ELEKTRONIK and EvoLogics is now working together to develop a new type of unmanned underwater vehicle. The research and development project known as the Large Modifiable Underwater Mothership, or MUM, will receive funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy over three years. It will open up new ways to explore and harness the potential of the world’s oceans.

MUM is breaking with old conventions: The modular, unmanned underwater vehicle performs its tasks largely autonomously. Its unique modular design enables the new vehicle class to be customized cost-efficiently for each mission. Individual base modules can be freely combined with specific mission modules to form large systems, enabling even unusual and highly specialized tasks to be performed quickly and easily. Possible activities range from payload transportation and operations to research missions and stationary deep-sea tasks. This makes the new underwater vehicle ideal for industrial use in the areas of offshore energy and deep-sea mining as well as other applications, for example in maritime science.

Emission-free fuel cell propulsion system permits long ranges and deep diving depths

“The world’s oceans present a wide range of tasks and questions that cannot yet be addressed because we don’t have the appropriate vehicles and systems. MUM offers a wealth of new options for industrial marine engineering and scientific ocean research. We will equip the floating, wireless underwater vehicle with an air-independent fuel cell propulsion system. Our goal is to develop a vehicle which allows diving depths of up to 5,000 meters and continuous operation for several weeks,” says Marc Schiemann, project manager at thyssenkrupp Marine Systems.

The completely emission-free propulsion system also makes the underwater vessel ideal for use in highly ecologically sensitive environments. With a payload capacity of several tons, MUM is capable of handling even heavy-duty tasks. The individual modules can be reused, permitting a significant reduction in costs compared with conventional vehicle concepts and much quicker development cycles. Newly developed mission modules are also easy to integrate.

Project partners targeting market readiness by 2025

Research and development work for the project is expected to be completed by 2020, with a 1:5 scale model built and tested. The partners are targeting market readiness by 2025.

As project coordinator, thyssenkrupp will among other things develop the overall operating concept for MUM and translate it into a draft design for the vessel in close collaboration with Berlin Technical University. The company will also develop and test the fuel cell energy supply. ATLAS ELEKTRONIK is responsible for the guidance and navigation system (GNC) incorporating the control functions provided by the University of Rostock and communications developed by EvoLogics. Berlin Technical University will integrate the hardware into a vehicle concept and test scaled models of MUM. EvoLogics will be responsible for developing a telemetry network to enable the autonomous and accurate underwater navigation, positioning and communication of the new vehicle. The University of Rostock will develop an intelligent and fault tolerant control system, which adapts itself to the variable vehicle structure and changing dynamic behavior.

More information on the project can be found at: mum-project.com/