Subsea technology company SMD has announced the sale of its compact electric remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the Atom EV, to the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR) in Greece. This marks the first sale of the Atom EV, a 4,000-meter-rated turnkey system designed for deep-water operations. HCMR, Greece’s primary public body for marine research in the Eastern Mediterranean, will use the vehicle to support its scientific research and deep-sea missions.
SMD’s Business Development Manager, John McCann, highlighted the alignment between SMD’s focus on sustainability and HCMR’s commitment to environmentally conscious research. He emphasized the adaptability of the Atom EV, which can convert 63% of input power into usable thrust performance. The vehicle’s modular design allows it to be optimized for various tasks, making it a versatile tool for HCMR’s marine operations.
HCMR’s ROV Supervisor, Leonidas Manousakis, noted that the organization’s recent upgrades to its marine facilities, funded by the EU and Greek government, included the acquisition of this ROV. He praised the Atom EV’s advanced video capabilities, precise navigation, and intervention features for sampling and manipulation, which will enhance HCMR’s ability to respond to maritime incidents and conduct scientific missions.
The Atom EV is scheduled for delivery in the summer of 2025 and will be installed on an existing HCMR vessel. This sale follows SMD’s earlier success with its Quantum EV model, sold to marine contractor Jan De Nul Group earlier this year.
SMD, which employs over 200 staff, provides remotely operated and autonomous underwater systems for industries including renewable energy, oil and gas, telecoms, and scientific research. The company emphasizes sustainability and innovation in its engineering solutions.
