Papers
2
Total Citations
147
H-Index
2
About
Diego Cesar is a leading figure in underwater robotics, whose work is pivotal to the future of autonomous subsea inspection. His research centers on developing robust perception systems and compact vehicle designs that enable reliable, long-duration missions in challenging underwater environments. Cesar’s most influential contribution is his foundational evaluation of artificial fiducial markers—specifically ARToolKit, AprilTags, and ArUco—for underwater localization. His 2015 paper on this topic (74 citations) provides the critical performance benchmarks and code that many subsequent underwater navigation systems rely upon. In parallel, he co-designed the FlatFish, a groundbreaking compact, subsea-resident inspection AUV. Detailed in another highly cited 2015 work (73 citations), FlatFish addresses the growing industrial need for constant, cost-effective monitoring of underwater oil, gas, and wind farm infrastructure, moving beyond traditional ROV and diver-based methods. Through these dual contributions—advancing both the perceptual "eyes" and the physical platform for autonomous underwater vehicles—Cesar has established himself as a key innovator, directly enabling safer, more efficient, and persistent operations in the deep sea.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1An evaluation of artificial fiducial markers in underwater environments74 citations · 2015
- 2FlatFish - a compact subsea-resident inspection AUV73 citations · 2015