Autonomous Visual Robotics
Because of the ever-changing requirements and missions at a research institute, GEOMAR needs flexible platforms and vehicles that are versatile, re-configurable and can be programmed to the respective needs. Additionally, such platforms should be controlled ideally on an abstract level. Desirable missions could be "to map a particular area and to come back with a map that contains no holes", "to explore some track and generate a summary of the different seafloor types", "to detect changes in a habitat by repeated scanning" or "to make detailed measurements once something unusual can be seen". For all these scenarios, the robot must process data onboard (real-time machine vision) and adapt the mission when needed.
A simulated Girona 500 operating on a seafloor generated by real measurements.
Two simulated Girona 500 AUVs in a collaborative calibration scenario.
