Application: AUV launch and recovery
Vehicle: C-Worker 5
Payload: A modular system to allow for easy and efficient launch and recovery of a flexible number of ecoSUBS.
Summary: ASV Global was able to demonstrate the functionality of the LARS system which was fitted to the C-Worker 5 ASV, and was used to deploy and retrieve the ecoSUB-µ AUV.
Benefit: Greater reliability for launching and recovering AUVs / Cost saving.
ASV Global is a key partner in a collaborative research project in order to develop a Micro Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Launch and Recovery System (LARS) for Autonomous Surface Vehicles. The project seeks to deliver an integrated system to provide a more reliable way of recovering AUVs using an unmanned system. The project, part funded by Innovate UK, hopes to encourage wider adoption of unmanned systems.
This collaboration has run for 2 years, led by Planet Ocean Ltd with support from ASV Global, the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) and the University of Southampton. ASV Global’s primary role within the project has been to design a modular system to allow for easy and efficient launch and recovery of a flexible number of ecoSUBS. This will aid quick deployment for mass data collection when working with ecoSUB-µ AUVs.
During June and July 2017, the project team conducted trials in the Solent, UK, with ASV Global being supported by project partners Planet Ocean Ltd, ecoSUB Robotics Ltd and the NOC. ASV Global was able to demonstrate the functionality of the LARS system which was fitted to the C-Worker 5 ASV, and was used to deploy and retrieve the ecoSUB-µ AUV.
The LARS can be adapted to a variety of vessels but is currently being tested on the C-Worker 5 autonomous surface vessel. The C-Worker 5 ASV has also been equipped with a Wi-Fi data recovery system so that data can be backed up from the AUV to the ASV to preserve information and allow for a more reliable transmission to the shore. This will also allow ecoSUB-µ AUVs to be re-tasked upon completion of a mission for further investigations or recovered as required.
The objectives of this project are to accelerate the wider adoption of unmanned systems and enable them to work together to reduce the need for manned systems while saving costs and time. Many more users from the research, military and commercial sectors will be able to access marine autonomous systems (MAS) and apply the benefits of collecting wide spatial and temporal data in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
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