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Simen Flåtter Flo, a master's student in Product Development and Manufacturing at NTNU, spent the summer of 2024 as an intern at Skarv Technologies. After several years of various summer jobs, Simen sought a new challenge. He discovered Skarv Technologies, an innovative, relatively new company developing autonomous underwater drones in Trondheim. Despite there being no advertised positions, Simen took the initiative and emailed CEO Trygve Olav Fossum, which led to an interview and an agreement for a summer internship.

Skarv Technologies is a technology provider specializing in the development and delivery of sensing solutions tailored for underwater applications. They build and deliver robotic platforms, positioning, autonomy, data analysis, and associated cloud services for better insights and decision

From Design to Testing

Throughout the summer, Simen was responsible for the design of an upcoming product, an opportunity that allowed him to leverage his background in materials technology and product development. He was given the freedom to be creative while adhering to specific requirements related to geometry, production methods, and materials. This experience was a perfect fit for Simen, providing him with valuable insight into how theoretical knowledge is applied in practice. In addition to design work, Simen participated in vessel testing and other varied tasks, giving him broad experience in the maritime technology sector.

Simen Flåtter Flo is former leader of Propulse NTNU has now had an summer internship at Skarv Technologies. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Ocean Autonomy Cluster

Freedom and Trust: The Key to Success

The team at Skarv placed great trust in Simen, giving him the freedom to structure his workday independently. This autonomy was crucial for Simen, as he was also heavily involved in the student organization Propulse NTNU, working on the rocket project Valemon. The ability to balance his passion for rocket development with his summer job at Skarv made the summer an unforgettable experience. Through this balance, Simen gained a deeper understanding of the maritime industry, particularly seabed exploration—a field he was previously unfamiliar with but now finds deeply fascinating.

Test print of a prototype component in PLA, printed on a Prusa Original XL. The wood-like structure is support material that allows for large overhangs in the model.

The Value of Summer Interns

Skarv Technologies CEO Trygve Olav Fossum emphasizes the value of bringing in summer interns. Since the company’s founding in 2019, they have successfully recruited students from NTNU, especially in the fields of cybernetics, marine engineering, and electronic systems. Trygve highlights that summer interns bring unique skills and fresh perspectives that enhance the company's development processes.

"During the summer, the interns have contributed creative solutions to concrete challenges, and several of the ideas we’ve taken forward have come from their work," Trygve says. "The fresh perspectives they offer give us new insights and opportunities to test ideas in practice. It also allows us to build relationships with potential future colleagues."

For Simen Flåtter Flo, the summer at Skarv Technologies has been an invaluable experience, both professionally and personally. Through close collaboration with experienced engineers, he gained insight into a fascinating industry and contributed to innovation in maritime technology.