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

Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
Williams, Stefan B.;Pizarro, Oscar;Webster, Jody M. ;Beaman, Robin J.;Mahon, Ian;Johnson-Roberson, Matthew;Bridge, Tom C.L.
Rob Beaman
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.

Journal

Journal of Field Robotics

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Volume

27

ISBN/ISSN

1556-4967

Edition

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Issue

5

Pages Count

23

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Publisher

Wiley

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Publisher Location

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Publish Date

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Date

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EISSN

N/A

DOI

10.1002/rob.20356