While our expertise in the subsea domain is well known, there are lesser-known chapters of our story that highlight the extensive range of our engineering capabilities. Since our founding in 1974, ISE has undertaken ventures beyond the ocean’s depths, demonstrating our versatility as a leader in engineering solutions, from the sea to the sky. Here are some examples of our work that you might not be aware of:
Designed and manufactured three manned submarines for indoor tourist excursions at West Edmonton Mall, where they completed an impressive 458,000 dives
Under the global spotlight at EXPO ’86 in Vancouver, where we established pioneering connections, including a landmark virtual handshake with China.
Our participation not only highlighted our innovative capabilities but also exemplified our capacity to bridge borders and nurture global cooperation.
In 1985, ISE played a crucial role in the salvage and recovery of the Handley Page Hampden – P5436 aircraft. This bomber, with a wingspan of 65 feet and a weight of 20,000 pounds, crashed into the sea on November 15, 1942, and lay 600 feet underwater in Saanich Inlet, Vancouver Island. The aircraft was successfully recovered forty-four years later, in 1986. The recovery operation utilized the Researcher, an 85-foot self-propelled barge, and side-scan sonar technology to locate and retrieve the aircraft.
Introduced the ATOM Manipulator, a groundbreaking innovation in hazardous waste cleanup, adept at lifting 300 pounds with pinpoint accuracy. ATOM serves a crucial role in both decontamination and decommissioning efforts.
ISE developed SmartPump, an automated robotic refueling system for Shell Oil, allowing cars to be fueled without drivers leaving their vehicles. Shell hailed it as their most revolutionary gas station technology in over a century when publicly unveiling it, in Sacramento, California.
ISE designed and built five prototype Smart Pumps, prioritizing safety and ease of use, validated through customer focus groups.
A cooling malfunction at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in the USA led to partial core meltdown in the #2 reactor, destroying the TMI-2 reactor. ISE’s MANFRED Manipulator, designed for reactor defueling, played a key role in the cleanup, operating custom tools to access damaged areas.
ISE constructed the Canada Space Station Task Verification Arm, a ground-based verification manipulator for the International Space Station. Due to this significant contribution, ISE was honored with a visit from astronauts. The STM (Space Task Manipulator) system features two manipulators, each manipulator was equipped with its own control computer.
Unveiling SARPAL, an air-droppable Autonomous Marine Vehicle for marine search and rescue missions. One of the major milestones was the successful completion of air-drop qualification trials from a C-130 aircraft at an altitude of 1500 feet, validating the design and operational capabilities of the AMV for air-drop deployment in search and rescue missions.
ISE developed the Robotic Assembly Line Refueling (RALF) system for American Controls, designed to autonomously refuel automobiles as they exit the assembly line. Created for major automobile manufacturers, the RALF robot offers a choice of two fuels, which are cooled and re-circulated to ensure optimal performance and safety. The system’s advanced technology ensures that each vehicle is refueled quickly and accurately, supporting high production rates and maintaining stringent quality standards.
The Autonomous Robotic Refueling System (A.R.R.S.), designed for the US Air Force at Wright Patterson, is a nuclear-hardened robotic system for refueling F-15 and F-16 aircraft. It uses laser sensing for obstacle avoidance and computer vision for visual sensing. The A.R.R.S. can also be used for aircraft de-icing and paint stripping.
Key participant in mining automation projects with the Precarn ELAP Project, redefining safety, and efficiency in the mining industry.
The consortium later completed the two-year Emulsion Loader Automation Project (ELAP), automating the drilling of blast holes and loading them with explosives.
ISE participated in the MiniMole mine drilling project for Placer Dome. MiniMole is an autonomous vehicle designed for high-grade, narrow vein mining. The project involved developing and testing a hydraulically controlled robotic machine for mining narrow ore veins. This prototype served as a platform for field testing various cutters, while other devices were tested in the lab. ISE contributed to the preliminary design of the telemetry and control system, operator control station, power distribution, and umbilical. They also assisted with overall system design, sensor selection, and specifications.
Our journey is defined by innovation, excellence, and a relentless pursuit of pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. From the depths of the ocean to land and into space, we consistently redefine the future of engineering.