Research

Autonomy, Control, Navigation

Multi-agent autonomy is a major emphasis for the Center. An example is an approach to teams of AUVs collaborating to minimize the probability of a hazard to navigation being misidentified. In this specific field trial, a team of three Virginia Tech 690 AUVs collaboratively seek to rapidly identify a desired isobath.

Propulsion and Hydrodynamics

Members of the center conduct fundamental analysis, develop new tools, and achieve practical results for high-fidelity dynamic models, drag-reduction, optimized propulsion.

Vehicle System Development

We have designed and deployed a wide variety of vehicles, including those that go very deep, go very fast, anchor themselves on the seafloor, and others that operate in teams. 

690 AUV is a workhorse research platform in the Center

The Self-Mooring AUV is capable of a one-time mooring up to 500m deep. Its anchor is a false nose that is held on with vacuum pressure

Hydrofoil vehicle systems: The Center is developing several hydrofoil vehicle systems. An electric-powered flight board has been fully automated with the addition of flap actuators, sensors, and onboard autonomy.

Virginia Tech designed the Dive LDUUV. Our team the hydrodynamic analysis and shape design, We provided a dynamic model, the autopilot and guidance laws, onboard software, graphic user-interface, etc.