A new robot for environmental monitoring on the Great Barrier Reef

Abstract

A vast amount of research into autonomous
underwater navigation has, and is, being conducted
around the world. However, typical research
and commercial platforms have limited
autonomy and are generally unable to navigate
efficiently within coral reef environments without
tethers and significant external infrastructure.
This paper outlines the development and
presents experimental results into the performance
evaluation of a new robotic vehicle for
underwater monitoring and surveying in highly
unstructured environments. The hybrid AUV
design developed by the CSIRO robotic reef
monitoring team realises a compromise between
endurance, manoeuvrability and functionality.
The vehicle represents a new era in AUV design
specifically focused at providing a truly lowcost
research capability that will progress environmental
monitoring through unaided navigation,
cooperative robotics, sensor network distribution
and data harvesting.