AutoCat Autonomous Surface Craft (ASCs)

The AUV Lab and affiliated Sea Grant researchers have been developing Autonomous Surface Craft (ASCs) since the early 1990's. Current research efforts involving the ASC are along two fronts.

Sub-bottom Profiler Surveys - we aim to equip the ASC AutoCat with precision navigation systems and a novel instrument, a high-frequency sub-bottom profiler. This will allow us to perform high precision surveys over a shallow water shipwreck, the Defence, off the coast of Maine. Many years ago divers using conventional nautical archaeology techniques excavated this wreck. Preliminary surveys have also been done with the sub-bottom profiler. By combining these earlier surveys with a precisely controlled survey, only possible with a robotically controlled vessel, we will learn a great deal about applying this new instrument to shipwrecks and other archaeological sites.

Networked Vehicles - we are also using the ASC as a platform for experiments in networked vehicle operations. We will install acoustic and radio modems on the ASC so that it can serve as a link between AUVs and ship or shore labs. Eventually we envision a system of many AUVs and ASCs communicating and collaborating to provide mobile survey coverage of large areas.

AutoCat is the third in a series of ASCs built at the AUV Lab. Its predecesors were used as engineering test platforms, student projects, and to track tagged fish. Built in 1996 AutoCat was developed to perform hydrographic surveys. It completed a survey in Boston Harbor in late 1997 and showed excellent results. Recently, the platform has been significantly improved and the computer/software systems have been upgraded to match the AUV Lab's other vehicles. AutoCat's future roles include shallow water sub-bottom profiling and AUV telemetry.