Hugin Superior AUV by Kongsberg Discovery
The Childlike Empress is Schmidt Ocean Institute’s HUGIN Superior Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), a system designed for SOI by Kongsberg Discovery, purpose-built to enhance the Falkor (too)'s deep-sea research capabilities. It provides a robust, high-resolution survey platform that complements and extends our existing assets on the ship and with ROV SuBastian. With the ability to operate independently of the ship for up to 72 hours and reach depths of 6,000 meters, The Childlike Empress enables efficient pre-characterization of study sites, maximizing ship time and allowing for strategic planning of follow-up investigations. Its integration into mission workflows- particularly as a scouting and mapping tool ahead of ROV SuBastian dives- supports more targeted, efficient, and informed exploration. Equipped with a comprehensive suite of sensors and imaging systems, the vehicle is capable of supporting a wide range of scientific interests, from geological and biological surveys to environmental monitoring and seafloor characterization.
In the initial years of operating The Childlike Empress, missions will be conducted near the ship to allow for close monitoring, performance validation, and refinement of procedures. This hands-on phase will help the team build operational confidence and better understand the vehicle's behavior across various mission types. As familiarity grows, we aim to take full advantage of the AUV’s capabilities for longer-range, semi-autonomous operations. Over time, the vehicle will support more semi-independent missions, mapping and surveying areas ahead of ROV SuBastian or in parallel with other shipboard activities, maximizing the efficiency and reach of our research expeditions.
Diagram of The Childlike Empress highlighting key capabilities.