Related papers: Development of a Simulation Environment for Evalua…
In this paper, we seek to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel forward-looking sonar system with a limited number of beams for collision avoidance for small autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). We present a collision avoidance strategy…
The increasing demand for underwater vehicles highlights the necessity for robust localization solutions in inspection missions. In this work, we present a novel real-time sonar-based underwater global positioning algorithm for AUVs…
We seek to rigorously evaluate the benefit of using a few beams rather than a single beam for a low-cost obstacle avoidance sonar for small AUVs. For a small low-cost AUV, the complexity, cost, and volume required for a multi-beam forward…
Imaging sonar produces clear images in underwater environments, independent of water turbidity and lighting conditions. The next generation 2D forward looking sonars are compact in size and able to generate high-resolution images which…
Navigating autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) in unknown environments is significantly challenging due to poor visibility, weak signal transmission, and dynamic water currents. These factors pose challenges in accurate global…
The problem of detecting buried unexploded ordnance (UXO) is addressed with a sensor deployed from a shallow-draft surface vessel. This sonar system produces three dimensional synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) imagery of both surficial and…
We propose a novel method to generate underwater object imagery that is acoustically compliant with that generated by side-scan sonar using the Unreal Engine. We describe the process to develop, tune, and generate imagery to provide…
Simulation is essential to validate autonomous driving systems. However, a simple simulation, even for an extremely high number of simulated miles or hours, is not sufficient. We need well-founded criteria showing that simulation does…
This paper presents a novel approach to underwater terrain mapping for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) operating in close proximity to complex 3D environments. The proposed methodology creates a probabilistic elevation map of the…
Cost-effective localization methods for Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) navigation are key for ocean monitoring and data collection at high resolution in time and space. Algorithmic solutions suitable for real-time processing that…
This study explores the potential of the Ping 360 sonar device, primarily used for navigation, in detecting complex underwater obstacles. The key motivation behind this research is the device's affordability and open-source nature, offering…
Sonar-based indoor mapping systems have been widely employed in robotics for several decades. While such systems are still the mainstream in underwater and pipe inspection settings, the vulnerability to noise reduced, over time, their…
Side-scan sonar (SSS) is a lightweight acoustic sensor that is frequently deployed on autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) to provide high-resolution seafloor images. However, using side-scan images to perform simultaneous localization and…
With the growing interest in underwater exploration and monitoring, Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) have become essential. The recent interest in onboard Deep Learning (DL) has advanced real-time environmental interaction capabilities…
This article presents novel designs of autonomous UAV prototypes specifically developed for inspecting GPS-denied tunnel construction environments with dynamic human and robotic presence. Our UAVs integrate advanced sensor suites and robust…
Acoustic sonar imaging systems are widely used for underwater surveillance in both civilian and military sectors. However, acquiring high-quality sonar datasets for training Artificial Intelligence (AI) models confronts challenges such as…
Underwater docking is critical to enable the persistent operation of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). For this, the AUV must be capable of detecting and localizing the docking station, which is complex due to the highly dynamic…
Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) have advanced significantly in obstacle detection and path planning through sonar, cameras, and learning-based methods. However, safe and efficient navigation in cluttered environments remains…
For autonomous navigation and robotic applications, sensing the environment correctly is crucial. Many sensing modalities for this purpose exist. In recent years, one such modality that is being used is in-air imaging sonar. It is ideal in…
Current autonomous vehicle (AV) simulators are built to provide large-scale testing required to prove capabilities under varied conditions in controlled, repeatable fashion. However, they have certain failings including the need for user…