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THE SMART UNDERWATER DRONE

Discover the collaboration between EFI Automotive Service and the French start-up Delair Marine.

Robotics, remote expertise in difficult environment

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the project

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Delair Marine

THE SUPPORTED START-UP

Delair Marine

Seasam is the first compact underwater system capable of autonomous operations. Designed for professional use, it can be used to locate and track specific targets or perform complex operations such as ship hull inspection or leak detection. Delair Marine also offers a second solution for individuals with its drone, iBubble EVO. Offering a unique experience, it is intended for individuals, diving centers or yachting enthusiasts.

Learn more about Seasam

THE PROJECT AND ITS CONTEXT

The story of Delair Marine begins with a group of passionate divers and drone experts who, during their explorations, had the idea to design an autonomous underwater drone. To turn this idea into reality, they recruited a multidisciplinary team of embedded software developers, mechatronics experts, innovative marketers… and of course, EFI Automotive Service, through Axandus – the EFI Automotive Group’s industrial accelerator.

This first offer, aimed at recreational diving and yachting, was successful and the company has now extended its range with a solution aimed at professionals and scientists. In addition, it is now possible to collect and analyse the data gathered by these drones through Delair Marine’s Cloud service. Possible applications range from coastal infrastructure analysis to ship hull inspection and search and rescue operations.

Formerly Notilo Plus, the start-up was acquired at the end of 2022 by Delair – an international provider of high-performance drone-based solutions – and renamed Delair Marine.

 

Thibaut HUMBERT
Marketing et communication manager

This trusting partnership ensures the impeccable quality of our products, and enables us to be reactive in the event of modifications to the production process of our “Made in France” drone.

The project in video

Explore the ocean floor with Seasam!

PROJECT MILESTONES

April 2018

INITIAL CONTACT PHASE

The start-up contacted our teams through the Group’s industrial accelerator – Axandus.

September 2018

REDESIGN AND QUALIFICATION OF THE PRODUCT

The product requires some design adjustments in order to be industrialized more easily.

September 2018 – March 2019

STUDY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE PRODUCTION LINE

The teams design and operate an assembly line of 120 m² common to the different products of the start-up.

April 2019

START OF PRODUCTION PHASE 1

After a conclusive test phase, the teams officially launch the production of the underwater drone, iBubble.

January 2020

START OF PRODUCTION PHASE 2

After adapting the line, the teams officially launch the production of the underwater drone, Seasam in addition to iBubble.

January 2020 – October 2022

MAINTAINING THE PRODUCTION

The teams maintain a close relationship with those of the start-up and are currently working on projects that will see the light of day soon, in parallel with ongoing production.

November 2022

LOWER PRODUCTION VOLUMES

In recent months, production volumes have fallen due to difficulties encountered by the start-up.

January 2023

DELAIR ACQUIRES THE START-UP

After financial difficulties, the company was officially bought out in early 2023. This led to a name change, with Notilo Plus becoming Delair Marine.

March 2023

MAINTAINING THE PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR COMPANY

Our teams and those of Delair Marine met to discuss the partnership. By mutual agreement, it was decided that this collaboration would continue.

January 2024

DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW EVOLUTION

Delair's teams have been busy with drone production (due to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict), but at the beginning of the year, an evolution of Seasam was born: Hull Scan.

May 2024

NEW ORDERS IN SIGHT

Recent developments are beginning to attract interest, and a new order has been placed.

OUR ADDED VALUE

Within the framework of this project, one of the first of EFI Automotive Service, in the accompaniment of innovative companies, we were able to propose to Delair Marine these various know-how:

  1. Standardization of the product, particularly in terms of screwing, in order to facilitate assembly operations and limit the risk of error
  2. Setting up a flexible multi-reference island: 140 m² dedicated to the production of these underwater drones, acquisition of new skills for our teams via this project (multi-layer electronic assembly, handling of aspect parts, waterproofing, etc.)
  3. Management of deliveries and after-sales service: implementation of the entire supply chain up to direct shipment to customers (individuals and professionals worldwide – including customs management)

 

KEY FIGURES OF THE PROJECT

440

iBubble EVO manufactured

90

Seasam manufactured

120 m²

of assembly line dedicated to this project

3

specially trained operators on the production line

100 m

of maximum depth

4

hours of underwater autonomy

7

number of engines equipping the drones

2

solutions proposed by the start-up Delair Marine

KEY FIGURES OF THE PROJECT

440

iBubble EVO manufactured

90

Seasam manufactured

120 m²

of assembly line dedicated to this project

3

specially trained operators on the production line

100 m

of maximum depth

4

hours of underwater autonomy

7

number of engines equipping the drones

2

solutions proposed by the start-up Delair Marine

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