Wastewater operations face challenges to perform bathymetric surveys and sampling including minimizing safety risks, launching and retrieving equipment, weather during operations, and scheduling with the associated personnel. The additional logistical challenges with manned boat launches occasionally results in the cancellation of surveys, since factors such as weather, manpower, and operational equipment must all align to allow work to continue. Making the switch from manned surveys using Neptune has reduced safety risks associated with bathymetric surveys and has improved ability to collect bathymetric data.

Copperstone Technologies has modernized the screw-drive vehicle and adapted it to work as a robotic platform specifically for environmental monitoring and wastewater investigations. HELIX has many advantages over other modes of propulsion and is perfectly suited to the variety of terrain and seasonal conditions encountered on tailings.