Development Report:
A Cruising AUV r2D4: Intelligent Multirole Platform for Deep-Sea Survey
Kangsoo Kim* and Tamaki Ura**
*Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
**Center for Socio-Robotic Synthesis, Kyushu Institute of Technology, 2-4 Hibikino, Wakamatsu, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 808-0196, Japan
In this article, a cruising autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) r2D4 and examples of its achievements to date are introduced. With the objective of realizing an intelligent multirole platform for deep-sea surveys, the r2D4 development program was started in 2001. Launched in 2003, the r2D4 had achieved several practical missions by the time of its last dive in 2010. Enhanced vehicle autonomy was realized by applying new technologies in navigation, control, positioning, and sensing, which enabled the capabilities of tackling more challenging undersea missions. The r2D4 is a multirole platform that is easily able to be modified to meet the applications of diverse purposes. Since its first dive in September 2003, the r2D4 has successfully completed a total of 67 dives in bodies of water worldwide.
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- [2] K. Kim and T. Ura, “Optimal guidance for autonomous underwater vehicle navigation within undersea areas of current disturbance,” Advanced Robotics, Vol.23, No.5, pp. 601-628, Apr. 2009.
- [3] C. Honsho, T. Ura, and K. Kim, “Deep-sea magnetic vector anomalies over the Hakurei hydrothermal field and the Bayonnaise knoll caldera, Izu-Ogasawara arc, Japan,” J. of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, American Geophysical Union, Vol.118, pp. 1-18, DOI: 10.1002/jgrb.0382, Oct. 2013.
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