In the mid-1980s, Sonsub was established to assist divers with daily tasks such as maintenance and inspection of underwater infrastructure.
Over time, the need for human intervention in deep waters diminished, leading to the development of robots to perform these tasks.
By the late 1980s and early 1990s, Sonsub began creating robots with basic mobility, which have since evolved into sophisticated machines capable of complex operations like valve manipulation and inspection.
Today, Saipem's new-generation drones, such as the Hydrone line, operate autonomously at depths of up to 3, 000 meters, thanks to advanced sensors and AI. These robots can remain underwater for a year, alternating between work and recharging at docking stations.
Sonsub's technological advancements have broadened its scope to include emergency management, marine biodiversity monitoring, and protection of critical assets.
The company invests millions annually in developing new technologies and components.
Sonsub's main development center is in Marghera, with testing facilities in Trieste and a maintenance hub in Aberdeen.
The Hydrone platform supports various drone models, each designed for specific tasks, from pipeline inspection to marine surveillance.
Sonsub's business model focuses on providing turnkey services, although it plans to sell drones directly to the Navy, offering pilot training as part of the package.