Voyis, a company specialising in underwater optical systems, in collaboration with EIVA, has announced the release of Voyis VSLAM powered by EIVA NaviSuite version 1.3. This update marks a leap forward in real-time subsea mapping, delivering a 3D visualisation experience using voxel-based rendering and stereo vision technologies.
Version 1.3 introduces a next-generation voxel-based 3D mapping engine, enabling real-time textured visualisations of inspection environments. By projecting the ROV camera’s field of view onto the real-time 3D map, operators gain a uniquely intuitive window into subsea scenes—offering unmatched spatial context and navigational confidence during visual inspections.
“This release transforms the way ROV pilots interact with real-time data,” said Chris Gilson, CEO of Voyis. “By embedding live video perspectives into a continuously updating voxel map, we’re providing pilots with the ability to navigate more intelligently, cover more ground, and reduce data gaps in their inspection workflows.”
Augmented real-time visualisation for confident piloting
The new default visualisation overlays the system’s real-time depth map onto a structured voxel-based 3D map. The result is a real-time projection of the camera’s field of view, allowing ROV pilots to instantly see where the camera is looking within the environment and align their trajectory to uninspected areas.
This augmented piloting interface supports more efficient movement, better scene coverage, and easier gap-filling, which is particularly critical in large or complex subsea structures such as pipelines, hulls, and infrastructure.
Voxel-based mapping
Version 1.3 features a real-time point cloud engine using voxel modelling with a minimum resolution of 2.5 cm. Voxels, volumetric pixels, structure the map into a uniform 3D grid that stores both spatial and visual data. This representation significantly reduces noise by aggregating multiple stereo measurements within each voxel, eliminating isolated outliers common in raw point clouds.
Beyond cleaner visuals, the voxel format allows for faster map updates and more reliable loop closures during relocalisation, ensuring a smoother, clutter-free experience even as the system corrects for positional drift.
Empowering ROV operators with actionable data
With this release, ROV pilots can quickly identify data gaps in real time, allowing them to proactively adjust their trajectory before resurfacing. This minimises rework, improves inspection quality, and ensures comprehensive scene documentation on the first pass.
Whether inspecting wide-area infrastructure or confined spaces, the VSLAM 1.3 solution empowers users with immediate spatial awareness and a high-confidence understanding of their inspection progress.
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