BIOSwimmer: Enabling technology for port security

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of the development of a unique unmanned underwater harbor surveillance technology and reviews possible mission spaces. One of Boston Engineering's biomimetic UUV technologies, the BIOSwimmer, leverages a biologically inspired design to rapidly provide Homeland Security with actionable intelligence. The Department of Homeland Security is tasked with uncovering attempts to disrupt, damage, or illegally use the flow of commerce; without hindering it. This is a difficult process as a balance needs to be attained to sufficiently monitor ports, rivers and waterways without slowing commerce. The BIOSwimmer is designed to be deployed rapidly, maneuver into locations previously inaccessible to current platforms and effectively provide enhanced intelligence far beyond current capability. These advantages make it possible to effectively protect ports and inland waterways with a human-robot team, expanding the capabilities of security personnel.