Aims / Applications

The objectives of the GREX project are well rooted in an in-depth analysis of potential user requirements. Today, due to the limitations of state-of-the-art embedded systems, underwater research vehicles (and marine vehicles in general) are limited in both their autonomy and capabilities. Typically, a researcher uses one single multi-role vehicle designed to perform different tasks. After completing one mission (duration ca. 2 to 6 hrs), the data collected are examined. Afterwards, the vehicle can be reprogrammed and sent on a different mission, doing possibly a different task. There is the possibility that the vehicle systems will malfunction or that the vehicle will get trapped underwater and not be able to return "home" safely.

What a leap ahead, if a researcher could use a multiple vehicle approach, whereby each vehicle plays the role of a sophisticated node (with sensor, processing, and communication capabilities) in a possibly large network - this means combining the properties of different systems in a team. For example: vehicles intended for searching operations could re-direct vehicles equipped with manipulators to extend their scope of activity to rescuing missions. Some systems could watch other systems at work to record the operations using video or they could serve as navigation aids or communication relay stations. Multiple vehicles allow surveying wider areas in less time therefore simultaneously obtaining time and space resolutions that are otherwise unachievable. Combining pre-existing vehicles into a team will make research more effective and will lead to completely new applications. There are three types of mission-scenarios which are the basis for discussion and later specifications. These mission scenarios envisioned are rooted in challenging problems in the field of marine science. They also bring out the ever increasing important role that marine technology is having in terms of affording marine scientist the tools that are needed to explore and exploit the ocean. We place the focus on missions for which two basic ingredients are required:

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