Underwater
Related papers: 20
About
Underwater robotics and AI encompasses the design, control, and deployment of robotic systems capable of operating in aquatic environments, ranging from shallow coastal waters to the deep ocean. These systems include autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), biomimetic robots inspired by fish and marine invertebrates, and underwater manipulators used for sampling, inspection, and intervention tasks. Key technical challenges include robust state estimation under limited visibility, acoustic-based wireless communication, precise motion control against unpredictable currents and disturbances, and the development of durable materials such as tough hydrogels and self-healing electronics suited to harsh aquatic conditions. Researchers draw heavily from biology, replicating swimming gaits, adhesion mechanisms, and schooling behaviors to improve efficiency and maneuverability. Underwater robotics matters because oceans cover over 70% of Earth's surface yet remain largely unexplored; these systems enable critical applications including environmental monitoring, offshore infrastructure inspection, scientific sampling on deep reefs, search and rescue, and military operations—domains where human divers cannot safely or practically operate.
Top Researchers
Top Cited Papers
Review of fish swimming modes for aquatic locomotion
Michael Sfakiotakis, David M. Lane, J.B.C. Davies
Citations: 1901 • 1999
2019 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS)
Bharat Joshi, Sharmin Rahman, Michail Kalaitzakis, Brennan Cain, James V. Johnson, Marios Xanthidis, Nare Karapetyan, Alan Hernandez, Alberto Quattrini Li, Nikolaos Vitzilaios, Ioannis Rekleitis
Citations: 1079 • 2019
Research challenges and applications for underwater sensor networking
John Heidemann, Wei Ye, Jack Wills, Affan A. Syed, Yuan Li
Citations: 1015 • 2006
Soft Robotic Grippers for Biological Sampling on Deep Reefs
Kevin C. Galloway, Kaitlyn P. Becker, Brennan Phillips, Jordan Kirby, Stephen Licht, Dan Tchernov, Robert J. Wood, David F. Gruber
Citations: 822 • 2016
Exploration of underwater life with an acoustically controlled soft robotic fish
Robert K. Katzschmann, Joseph DelPreto, Robert MacCurdy, Daniela Rus
Citations: 811 • 2018
Leader–follower formation control of underactuated autonomous underwater vehicles
Rongxin Cui, Shuzhi Sam Ge, Bernard Voon Ee How, Yoo Sang Choo
Citations: 647 • 2010
Design and Control of Autonomous Underwater Robots: A Survey
J. Yuh
Citations: 646 • 2000
Self-healing electronic skins for aquatic environments
Yue Cao, Yu Jun Tan, Si Li, Wang Wei Lee, Hongchen Guo, Yongqing Cai, Chao Wang, Benjamin C. K. Tee
Citations: 639 • 2019
Advancements in the field of autonomous underwater vehicle
Avilash Sahoo, Santosha K. Dwivedy, P. S. Robi
Citations: 633 • 2019
Extended State Observer-Based Integral Sliding Mode Control for an Underwater Robot With Unknown Disturbances and Uncertain Nonlinearities
Rongxin Cui, Lepeng Chen, Chenguang Yang, Mou Chen
Citations: 551 • 2017
Mechanics and Control of Swimming: A Review
J. Edward Colgate, Kevin Lynch
Citations: 429 • 2004
Overview of networking protocols for underwater wireless communications
Dario Pompili, Ian F. Akyildiz
Citations: 424 • 2009
UUV Simulator: A Gazebo-based package for underwater intervention and multi-robot simulation
Musa Manhães, Sebastian Scherer, Martin Voss, Luiz R. Douat, Thomas Rauschenbach
Citations: 381 • 2016
Tough Hydrogels with Fast, Strong, and Reversible Underwater Adhesion Based on a Multiscale Design
Ping Rao, Tao Lin Sun, Liang Chen, Riku Takahashi, Gento Shinohara, Hui Guo, Daniel R. King, Takayuki Kurokawa, Jian Ping Gong
Citations: 370 • 2018
Underwater autonomous manipulation for intervention missions AUVs
Giacomo Marani, S.K. Choi, Junku Yuh
Citations: 363 • 2008
Bioinspired underwater locomotion of light-driven liquid crystal gels
Hamed Shahsavan, Amirreza Aghakhani, Hao Zeng, Yubing Guo, Zoey S. Davidson, Arri Priimägi, Metin Sitti
Citations: 359 • 2020
Review of biomimetic underwater robots using smart actuators
Won‐Shik Chu, Kyung‐Tae Lee, Sung-Hyuk Song, Min‐Woo Han, Jang-Yeob Lee, Hyungsoo Kim, Min‐Soo Kim, Yong-Jai Park, Kyu‐Jin Cho, Sung‐Hoon Ahn
Citations: 352 • 2012
A biomimetic robotic jellyfish (Robojelly) actuated by shape memory alloy composite actuators
Alex Villanueva, Colin Smith, Shashank Priya
Citations: 342 • 2011
Underwater manipulators: A review
Satja Sivčev, Joseph Coleman, Edin Omerdić, Gerard Dooly, Daniel Toal
Citations: 336 • 2018
Barnacle Cement Proteins‐Inspired Tough Hydrogels with Robust, Long‐Lasting, and Repeatable Underwater Adhesion
Hailong Fan, Jiahui Wang, Jian Ping Gong
Citations: 328 • 2020