Kraken Robotics scores major deep-sea battery deal

Kraken Robotic’s deep-sea battery features a gel encapsulation technology that certifies the lithium polymer battery to 6,000 meters.

Kraken Robotics Inc., a Canadian marine technology company specializing in software-centric sensors and underwater robotic systems, announced that offshore ocean survey and exploration company, Ocean Infinity,   has agreed to purchase $9 million of the Kraken’s deep-sea batteries, built by its German-based subsidiary, Kraken Power GmbH.

Based out of St. John’s Newfoundland, Kraken Robotics introduced Kraken Power in May of 2017, after acquiring a minority interest in ENISEA, a German company specializing in marine drives, propulsion and power supply systems. The company’s pressure tolerant gel encapsulation technology for lithium polymer batteries provides an eco-friendly alternative that Kraken Power has successfully introduced to military and commercial customers since its inception. Each battery is modular and is rated for 6,000 meters.

“We are very pleased to receive this large battery order from Ocean Infinity to provide pressure tolerant battery technology to their AUVs (autonomous underwater vehicles), said Kraken president and CEO Karl Kenny in a news release.

According to Ocean Infinity CEO Oliver Plunkett, the Kraken Power batteries increase available energy capacity by 50 per cent while maintaining the same physical form factor as the existing conventional batteries. “From an operational perspective, this gives us considerable flexibility to optimize mission plans, increase area coverage, manage weather impact and ultimately increase value for our customers,” Plunkett said.

The first purchase order has been issued for $2.5 million and the subsequent purchase order of $6.5 million is expected in early Q1 2019. Kraken Robotics currently holds a 19.9 per cent interest in Kraken Power but expects to exercise its right to acquire the additional 55.1 per cent ownership interest at some point prior to the end of Q4 2018.
http://krakenrobotics.com