Autonomous underwater vehicle–assisted surveying of drowned reefs on the shelf edge of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia

  • Authors:

  • Stefan B. Williams;Oscar Pizarro;Jody M. Webster;Robin J. Beaman;Ian Mahon;Matthew Johnson-Roberson;Tom C. L. Bridge

  • Affiliations:

  • Australian Centre for Field Robotics, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia;Australian Centre for Field Robotics, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia;School of Geoscience, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia;James Cook University, P.O. Box 6811, Cairns, QLD 4870, Australia;Australian Centre for Field Robotics, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia;Australian Centre for Field Robotics, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia;School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia

  • Venue:
  • Journal of Field Robotics - Visual Mapping and Navigation Outdoors
  • Year:
  • 2010

Quantified Score

Hi-index 0.00

Visualization

Abstract

This paper describes the role of the autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) Sirius on a research cruise to survey drowned reefs along the shelf edge of the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Australia. The primary function of the AUV was to provide georeferenced, high-resolution optical validation of seabed interpretations based on acoustic data. We describe the AUV capabilities and its operation in the context of the multiple systems used in the cruise. The data processing pipeline involved in generating simultaneous localization and mapping–based navigation, large-scale, three-dimensional visualizations, and automated classification of survey data is briefly described. We also present preliminary results illustrating the type of data products possible with our system and how they can inform the science driving the cruise. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.