SMART ROVLATIS: flexible survey platform for surface and Uunderwater operations

This paper describes a novel vehicle designed for operation flexibility in high-resolution near seabed survey from shallow inshore waters out to the continental shelf edge. The vehicle can be operated in surface tow or as a thrusted pontoon. With buoyancy module release the vehicle becomes neutrally buoyant and is operated as a survey class remotely operated vehicle (ROV) depth rated to 1,000m. Special features of the system include: deployment interoperability for small inshore boats and larger research vessel; fault tolerant thruster control; novel high frequency short range sonar; onboard computer control enabling real-time disturbance reaction; topside augmented reality system support. The paper includes test results from the off shore sea trials with the ROVLATIS in March 2009.