Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) can be used for ocean observation, marine research, and exploration but technologies are currently expensive to develop and operate in the harsh underwater environment. AUVs have applications in offshore oil and gas, scientific research, oceanography, defense, and maritime security. A new generation of lower-cost AUVs made from new materials and with open-source, user-friendly designs is needed to better study the oceans and seafloor that remain poorly understood. The global AUV market is forecasted to reach $3.8 billion by 2019 with approximately 1,300 AUVs produced each year.

1. Autonomous Underwater Vehicles
for ocean observation and marine
research
michele.cocco@edgelab.eu
Michele Cocco, Ph.D.

2. How much do we
know about oceans?
AUV: The Problem
Sea Technologies
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3. Marine exploration is a complex
issue
AUV: The Problem
Sea Technologies
Expensive technologies are needed
!

4. dark
corrosive
low temperature
high depth
Sea is a harsh environment
Sea Technologies
!
AUV: The Problem

5. AUV: Market Target
Sea Technologies
!
Offshore Oil & Gas
Scientific Research and Oceanography
Ocean Exploration and Observation
Defense and Maritime Security

6. Sea Technologies
!

7. !
I veicoli sommergibili guidati
(manned)
Sea Technologies
!

8. Sea Technologies
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9. "#
Sea Technologies
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10. ""
ROV:
Remotely
Operating
Vehicles
Sea Technologies
!

11. "$
Sea Technologies
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12. Sea Technologies
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13. A new approach is needed
Sea Technologies
Drone example:
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AUV: The Problem

14. AUV U_Tracker:
A new generation of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles
Sea Technologies
!

15. low cost
new materials
AUV U_Tracker: the Product
Sea Technologies
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user friendly
open source

16. Sea Technologies
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There is a real demand of tools for seafloor exploration

17. AUV: Market Dimensions (Defense & O&G)
Sea Technologies
!
AUV Global Market Forecast: 3.8b US$ within 2019, soaring fast
Approx 1.300 AUV/year

18. Sea Technologies
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MH370
Eurocargo Venezia

19. The Internet of Underwater Things (IoUWT) perspective
Sea Technologies
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20. michele.cocco@edgelab.eu
!
Sea Technologies
New frontiers in marine research and exploration
How inappropriate to call this planet Earth
when it is quite clearly Ocean
(Arthur C. Clarke)