Unmanned surface vessels (USVs) intelligent navigation systems

Institution Name:
University College London
Research Area:
Autonomy

Description:

Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) are increasingly vital in marine applications, but their navigation in dynamic and unpredictable environments poses significant challenges. This research focuses on energy-efficient motion planning for USVs, integrating multi-constraint dynamic collision avoidance to ensure safe operations. By leveraging Gaussian process-based models, it enhances route planning in high-fidelity environments, with augmented reality providing a deeper level of environmental interaction. Additionally, the work addresses multi-task planning for fleets of USVs, allowing for coordinated and efficient operations in complex missions. These innovations aim to improve the autonomy and reliability of USVs in real-world marine conditions.

Projects:
EPSRC Standard Grant; EPSRC Core Equipment Grant at UCL; The Royal Society; US ONR ACCeSS Grant
List Of Facilities:
UCL Tamesis USV; High-fidelity USV simulator; Dedicated marine research lab with a full-scale tank and Qualysis motion capture system