• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.187-198
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• 2024

Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) have a limited bandwidth for real-time communication, limiting rapid responses to unexpected obstacles. This study addressed how AUVs can navigate to a target without a pre-existing obstacle map by generating one in real-time and avoiding obstacles. This paper proposes using forward-looking sonar with an occupancy grid map (OGM) for real-time obstacle mapping and a potential field algorithm for avoiding obstacles. The OGM segments the map into grids, updating the obstacle probability of each cell for precise, quick mapping. The potential field algorithm attracts the AUV towards the target and uses repulsive forces from obstacles for path planning, enhancing computational efficiency in a dynamic environment. Experiments were conducted in coastal waters with obstacles to verify the real-time obstacle mapping and avoidance algorithm. Despite the high noise in sonar data, the experimental results confirmed effective obstacle mapping and avoidance. The OGM-based potential field algorithm was computationally efficient, suitable for single-board computers, and demonstrated proper parameter adjustments through two distinct scenarios. The experiments also identified some of challenges, such as dynamic changes in detection rates, propulsion bubbles, and changes in repulsive forces caused by sudden obstacles. An enhanced algorithm to address these issues is currently under development.

• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.679-687
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• 2019

This paper presents the autonomous swimming technology developed for an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) operating in the underwater jacket structure environment. To prevent the position divergence of the inertial navigation system constructed for the primary navigation solution for the vehicle, we've developed kinds of marker-recognition based underwater localization methods using both of optical and acoustic cameras. However, these two methods all require the artificial markers to be located near to the cameras mounted on the vehicle. Therefore, in the case of the vehicle far away from the structure where the markers are usually mounted on, we may need alternative position-aiding solution to guarantee the navigation accuracy. For this purpose, we develop a sonar image processing based underwater localization method using a Forward Looking Sonar (FLS) mounted in front of the vehicle. The primary purpose of this FLS is to detect the obstacles in front of the vehicle. According to the detected obstacle(s), we apply an Occupancy Grid Map (OGM) based path planning algorithm to derive an obstacle collision-free reference path. Experimental studies are carried out in the water tank and also in the Pohang Yeongilman port sea environment to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed autonomous swimming technology.