AN UNDERWATER robot from a Hampshire manufacturer has been chosen to travel with an expedition yacht.

The Falcon robot, from Saab Seaeye, was picked to go aboard the Dapple as a standby rescue resource for emergency recovery of its manned submersible.

The machine, rated to a depth of 1,000 metres, is equipped for a wide range of scientific research and survey operations.

Dapple’s dive manager, Marc Taylor, said the Falcon is a proven commercial choice, so fits the ship’s criteria “and it makes sense because we already have a Falcon aboard another vessel in our fleet”.

Dapple has been described as one of the world’s best known expedition superyachts.

Swedish-owned Saab Seaeye, based in Segensworth, says operators worldwide favour the Falcon as a small, intelligent robot with the power and task range typically found in much larger systems.

As well as transmitting high-definition images from under water, the robot has a host of other uses.

It can examine the hull millimetre-by-millimetre, recover items from the seabed, cut ropes and cables, and clean critical fittings, Saab Seaeye says.

Specialist cameras, survey systems and manipulator arms can be fitted for research and survey missions.

For use on Dapple, the Falcon is equipped with an extensive range of technology including HDTV cameras, a multifrequency scanning sonar, multibeam sonar, laser system and an eventing suite. It also comes with both a three-jaw and a five-function manipulator, each with rope cutters, along with hydraulic cable cutter and rotary cleaning brush.

Although the Falcon’s key role is recovery of Dapple’s submersible, for general diving safety the Falcon can survey a dive site beforehand, then watch over a diver when below and transport items back and forth during a dive.

Seaeye Says the Falcon’s success comes from being a small metre-sized, yet powerful, highly manoeuvrable , multi-tasking, easy to use vehicle, depth rated up to 1000 metres and enhanced with Saab Seaeye’s Icon ™ intelligent control system.

Its reliability record includes more than a million hours of undersea operations, working in challenging environments, mastering turbulent waters and strong currents whilst remaining stable during filming, scanning and undertaking delicate tasks.