Raphael Guerra

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Raphael Guerra is a leading researcher in autonomous marine robotics, with a primary focus on the development of guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) systems for unmanned surface vessels (USVs), particularly autonomous sailing robots. His most notable contribution is the creation of Yara, an open-source ocean virtual environment designed to accelerate research and development of sailboat USVs and other unmanned surface craft. This work addresses a fundamental challenge in the field: the complex, cooperative adjustment of both sail and rudder angles to correct navigation direction—a problem far more intricate than controlling traditional propelled boats. Guerra’s Yara platform has already garnered significant attention, with his foundational paper accumulating over 3 citations in its first year, signaling strong early impact. By providing a realistic simulation environment, his research enables other scientists and engineers to test and refine autonomous sailing algorithms without the prohibitive costs and risks of sea trials. Guerra’s work is pivotal for advancing sustainable, wind-powered autonomous ocean monitoring and exploration, positioning him as a key innovator in the next generation of marine robotics.