Experience on underwater artefact search using underwater walking robot Crabster CR200

Abstract

In April 2015, the 4th underwater test of Crabster CR200 was conducted to investigate the mission capability for search and recovery of underwater artefacts. The experiment was conducted from 16th April 2015 to 15th May 2015 off the Mado Island in West Korea. In the experiment, we searched and found artefact specimens successfully in turbid water using imaging sonar on CR200 and iron pots buried under bottom using metal detect optionally installed on CR200. One of potteries was successfully recovered from seabed by CR200. The artefacts used in the experiment were imitations of potteries and iron pots made and sunken by marine archeologist about one year ago. We verified the exploration ability of CR200 in turbid water and the applicability to the survey and recovery of underwater artefacts. In this paper, we present the results of experiment and share the experience on the experiment.