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Reference Number	InnUK/102306/01
Title	USV Environmental Efficiency
Status	Completed
Energy Categories	Not Energy Related 50%; Energy Efficiency(Transport) 50%;
Research Types	Applied Research and Development 100%
Science and Technology Fields	PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Applied Mathematics) 50%; ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 25%; ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES (Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences) 25%;
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation	Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator	Project Contact No email address given Thales UK Limited
Award Type	Collaborative Research & Development
Funding Source	Innovate-UK
Start Date	01 August 2015
End Date	31 January 2017
Duration	18 months
Total Grant Value	£343,864
Industrial Sectors
Region	South East
Programme	Competition Call: 1410_CRD2_TRANS_MAS - Maritime Autonomous Systems. Activity Maritime autonomous systems
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , Thales UK Limited (44.270%)
	Other Investigator	Project Contact , University of Southampton (10.995%) Project Contact , University of Sheffield (22.848%) Project Contact , Autonomous Surface Vehicles Limited (21.887%)
Web Site
Objectives
Abstract	Currently available autonomous control systems and unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) navigate based upon shortest path or direct waypoint navigation techniques and do not explicitly take account of external environmental factors such as sea state, wave direction, current, tide & wind. This can lead to either inefficient vehicle operation or a narrow environmental operating envelope for the USV when compared to a manned vessel. When operating a manned vessel, a skilled coxswain will dynamically adjust the vessels heading and speed in order to compensate for the external environment. The aim of this project is to develop a sensing package and a set of autonomous behaviours that can take account of external environmental influences when the USV is transiting to a known waypoint in adverse environmental conditions. Behaviours will be developed and tested within a simulation environment and once proven, integrated into USV along with the sensing package. The system will be characterised and compared with both the baseline Autonomy Management System and a skilled coxswain.Currently available autonomous control systems and unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) navigate based upon shortest path or direct waypoint navigation techniques and do not explicitly take account of external environmental factors such as sea state, wave direction, current, tide & wind. This can lead to either inefficient vehicle operation or a narrow environmental operating envelope for the USV when compared to a manned vessel. When operating a manned vessel, a skilled coxswain will dynamically adjust the vessels heading and speed in order to compensate for the external environment. The aim of this project is to develop a sensing package and a set of autonomous behaviours that can take account of external environmental influences when the USV is transiting to a known waypoint in adverse environmental conditions. Behaviours will be developed and tested within a simulation environment and once proven, integrated into USV along with the sensing package. The system will be characterised and compared with both the baseline Autonomy Management System and a skilled coxswain.Currently available autonomous control systems and unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) navigate based upon shortest path or direct waypoint navigation techniques and do not explicitly take account of external environmental factors such as sea state, wave direction, current, tide & wind. This can lead to either inefficient vehicle operation or a narrow environmental operating envelope for the USV when compared to a manned vessel. When operating a manned vessel, a skilled coxswain will dynamically adjust the vessels heading and speed in order to compensate for the external environment. The aim of this project is to develop a sensing package and a set of autonomous behaviours that can take account of external environmental influences when the USV is transiting to a known waypoint in adverse environmental conditions. Behaviours will be developed and tested within a simulation environment and once proven, integrated into USV along with the sensing package. The system will be characterised and compared with both the baseline Autonomy Management System and a skilled coxswain.Currently available autonomous control systems and unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) navigate based upon shortest path or direct waypoint navigation techniques and do not explicitly take account of external environmental factors such as sea state, wave direction, current, tide & wind. This can lead to either inefficient vehicle operation or a narrow environmental operating envelope for the USV when compared to a manned vessel. When operating a manned vessel, a skilled coxswain will dynamically adjust the vessels heading and speed in order to compensate for the external environment. The aim of this project is to develop a sensing package and a set of autonomous behaviours that can take account of external environmental influences when the USV is transiting to a known waypoint in adverse environmental conditions. Behaviours will be developed and tested within a simulation environment and once proven, integrated into USV along with the sensing package. The system will be characterised and compared with both the baseline Autonomy Management System and a skilled coxswain.
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	13/02/18