Abstract
Underwater robotic systems have been used and demonstrated for use in diverse industrial settings, and research has recently targeted to address the required level of autonomy during robotic operations in fish farms. Manually operated ROVs have been used for several monitoring operations such as inspection of nets and mooring lines, as well as monitoring and inspection of water quality, the cage environment, and fish population. This talk will be about Robust Field Autonomy and will aim to provide an overview of current research and innovative solutions for robust, safe, efficient autonomous monitoring, inspection and repair (IMR) operations in fish farms to reduce costs, and risks, increase objectivity and production, and contribute to better fish welfare. Relevant R&D project results will be presented demonstrating how the adaptation of robotic solutions with an increased level of autonomy can contribute to increasing the weather window and support the industry toward increased production, objectivity, and efficiency. The content of the talk will cover areas such as the design of aquaculture-dedicated robotic systems, realistic simulation case studies, vehicle interaction with the environment and fish, collision-free motion planning methods and intelligent control approaches able to deal with dynamically changing environments, sensors and tools, underwater localization and communication, and remote operations.