Autonomy in Marine Archaeology

Abstract

After what oceanographers have called 'a century of undersampling', the marine sciences are now benefiting from tremendous technological advances in sensors and sensor platforms. Efficient exploration of the deep or remote marine environments depends on the use of underwater robotics, particularly untethered Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) that can be sent out on missions covering large areas and return with data from multiple sensors. As technological developments allow AUVs to be deployed on long duration missions (months), the need for robust autonomous guidance, navigation and control systems become evident. For long duration missions in areas that prohibit human involvement (e.g. ultra-deep or under ice), it will be of interest for marine archaeologists to have an AUV that can find as many wrecks or other traces of cultural heritage on the seabed as possible. A hypothetical long duration AUV survey implementing archaeological mission objectives is described and discussed. This work has been carried out at the Centre for Autonomous Marine Operations and Systems (AMOS). The Norwegian Research Council is acknowledged as the main sponsor ofAMOS. This work was supported by the Research Council of Norway through the Centres of Excellence funding scheme, Project number 223254 - AMOS.