WFS Technologies and Seatronics, an Acteon company, recently demonstrated Drone-to-ROV wireless communications during a Subsea Internet of Things event in Houston.

Representatives from Shell, ExxonMobil, BP and Chevron attended the demo, which was held at the Delta Subsea test tank facility, according to a news release.

Seatooth wireless controllers were integrated with a Seatronics Predator II Inspection Class ROV and a DJI Inspire drone. The unmanned aircraft system (UAS) and ROV demonstrated two-way data communication while the ROV was submerged in the tank and the UAS was in flight.

“We are helping our customers to drive down costs,” said Brendan Hyland, Chairman of WFS, according to the release. “Using proven subsea wireless automation deployed by inspection and light class ROVs, we are delivering improved asset integrity information at a fraction of the cost. This demonstration has opened the door to using drones to harvest sensor information from assets in shallow water.”