Design of a semi-autonomous underwater vehicle for intervention missions (SAUVIM)

Abstract

As the research in the autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) field intensifies and the necessity of underwater robotic vehicles (URVs) increases, the requirements of an URV have expanded from simple fly-by missions to more complex, intervention missions. The Autonomous Systems Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Hawaii is in the midst of designing and developing a semi-autonomous underwater vehicle for intervention missions (SAUVIM). The proposed open structure AUV possesses a fully functional manipulator, various mission sensors, and composite pressure vessels enclosed in a flooded composite fairing. The vehicle allows human-intervention from a land-based computer system capable of vehicle path-planning and monitoring.