According to Kawasaki, SPICE is the world's first AUV equipped with a robot arm for performing subsea pipeline inspections. An inspection tool unit is fitted with close-range sensors at the end of the robot arm. SPICE controls the robot arm autonomously to track the pipeline and perform inspection operations.
In addition, it is operated using a Kawasaki-developed docking station, which increases inspection operation efficiency and reduces cost requirements.
SPICE’s specifications are:
Length overall: approximately 5.6 m (18.3 ft)
Width: approximately 1.4 m (4.6 ft)
Height: approximately 1.1 m (3.6 ft)
Weight: approximately 2,500 kg (in air)
Maximum depth: 3,000 m (9,842 ft)
Maximum speed: 4 knots
Propulsion equipment: one main propulsion propeller, two side thrusters, and two vertical thrusters
