Agenda Session

The session will present a new concept for combining uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) with uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) to observe the maritime environment. The Seahawk Robotics (SHR) F4 (“floating quadcopter”) offers a payload capacity of up to 10 lbs (4.5 kg) and is intended for aquatic data collection. The F4 can land on the water’s surface to log data from fixed sensors, and it can deploy sensors to depth using an onboard winch. It is designed specifically to relay data from profiling sensors and acoustic monitoring tools in real-time. Open Ocean Robotics (OOR) commercialized a small (< 4m) Uncrewed Surface Vehicle (USV) called the DataXplorerÔ which was the subject of prior collaborations and papers. This paper addresses their new, larger prototype USV DataCruiserÔ which combines a used sailboat hull (7.2m) with the software, sensors, and electric thrust systems of the smaller USV. The larger volume provides for much more energy storage (batteries) and collection (solar panels), as well the ability to carry a fuel-cell generator system. This ensures exceptional endurance for the USV.  And, by repurposing used sailboat hulls, which are hydrodynamically efficient in the water, the overall cost of this more capable USV remains modest while also reducing the environmental impact of construction. OOR and SHR are collaboratively engaged in combining these two platforms. Under a recently funded research program the teams are operating the systems collaboratively and exploring novel ways to leverage the distinct data collected to deliver new insights. They are also examining multiple ways to operate the two platforms together.