An on-going need exists for a small lightweight Autonomous Underwater Vehicle capable of traversing, mapping and reporting data for shallow or remote waterways with difficult access. This bathymetry information must be referenced to above-water features such as obstructions, embankments, or waterway shape. SeaLandAire has partnered with BlueView Technologies and Cybernet Systems Corporation to develop a battery-powered miniature UUV with on-board sensing, intelligent navigation and communication capabilities which can operate in currents up to several knots and adapt its performance to achieve maximum range on the order of 50km. Less efficient speeds can also be used to reduce the overall reconnaissance mission duration. The AUV system includes a novel variable-orientation forward looking sonar from BlueView Technologies to provide multi-use functionality without adding volume, weight, or power consumption to the system. The sonar will provide high-resolution horizontal and vertical obstacle avoidance, bottom tracking using optical flow processing to reduce position error accumulation due to current, and Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) based on fusion of in situ bathymetry with a priori GIS data. The design is an extension of prior design programs for autonomous or unmanned riverine and station-keeping vehicles.
Benefit: The compact lightweight AUV provides a wide range of commercialization opportunities. In reality, the design provides the functionality found in some larger AUVs in a compact package that is relatively inexpensive and is easily deployed. This vehicle will be significantly less costly to operate in riverine or littoral waters than other AUVs. When successfully integrated with acoustic imaging sensors such that SLAM algorithms can be instituted, the commercialization opportunities of this vehicle will be significant. The vehicle will be well suited for low mission cost, high-speed littoral bathymetric mapping in remote or small bodies of water. The light weight and autonomous nature will give this AUV an advantage over the competition. The scientific community could benefit in the further understanding of the temporal fluctuations of the estuarine / riparian environments. Commercial applications could include underwater site surveys in shallow water or obstructed locations or investigation of the impact of accidents or large natural disasters. Search and rescue operations Pipe inlet / outlet inspection for power plant cooling, municipality water supply, etc. Environmental monitoring of shallow water areas with overhanging foliage (e.g. mangrove areas post-hurricane, oyster beds, rivers following flood events, etc.) The Navy is looking for easily implemented methods to obtain bathymetric information of both rivers and shoreline and this vehicle will fill that niche. Other military or governmental applications include: Covert survey of waterways, lakes or shorelines Location of underwater objects or structures Under-ice missions (no GPS for extended periods) Environmentally, physically, or politically hazardous operations As in earlier development activities, SeaLandAire will participate in the Navy TAP program to promote the features and capability of the compact riverine AUV and to identify specific applications providing a basis for funding and product development.
Keywords: Man-Portable, Man-Portable, SLAM, Lightweight, Navigation, bathymetry, AUV, Autonomous Undersea Vehicle, Optical Flow Processing
