General Dynamics European Land Systems-Bridge Systems (GDELS-Bridge Systems) will develop a multifunctional, modular floating platform known as Pontoon Boat (PoBo). PoBo is a modularly configurable floating device, that can be used to assemble heavy-duty transport, working, diving and recovery platforms or bridges.
The project was awarded under the Innovation Programme for the Support of Diversification Strategies of Defense Companies in Civil Security Technologies, or DIVERS. This is a program launched by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy (BMWI), with VDI Technologiezentrum GmbH as the responsible project executing agency.
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The PoBo will be ergonomically friendly and will have a mobile virtual reality system to carry out fast and cost-effective training. By using specially developed propulsion systems and supported by drone based underwater sensors, it will enable a safe, semi-autonomous driving in flooded and unmapped areas.
Christian Kauth, Managing Director of GDELS-Bridge Systems:
We were able to win the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) in close cooperation with national fire brigades and police authorities as a project partners, as this is the only way to successfully develop a system that optimally supports relief, rescue and security forces in their challenging tasks worldwide
