Advanced Underwater Robot Research at Autonomous Systems Laboratory

Abstract As the ocean attracts great attention on environmental issues and resources as well as scientific and military tasks, the need for and use of underwater robotic systems has become more apparent. Underwater robotics represent a fast growing research area and promising industry as advanced technologies in various subsystems develop and potential application areasare explored. Great efforts have been made in developing autonomous underwater robots or vehicles (AUVs) to overcome challenging scientific and engineering problems caused by the unstructured and hazardous ocean environment. With the development of new materials, advanced computing and sensorytechnology, as well as theoretical advancements, R & D activities in the AUV community have increased. This paper describes advanced underwater robot research activities at the Autonomous Systems Laboratory