Collaborative Research: NRI: INT: Cooperative Underwater Structure Inspection and Mapping

NSF Award Search · 01002021DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT · $543,726 · view on nsf.gov ↗

Abstract

This project develops a system of co-robots collaborating with a human operator to map underwater structures. Underwater structure mapping is an important capability applicable to multiple domains: marine archaeology, infrastructure maintenance, resource utilization, security, and environmental monitoring. The underwater environment is challenging and dangerous for humans in many aspects, while robotic operations face additional challenges compared to the above-water ones. In particular, both sensing and communications are restricted, and planning is required in three dimensions with limited information. The project will generate a 3D model of the underwater structure providing a high-resolution photo-realistic representation. Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs)will be operating in close cooperation, generating a dense vision-based reconstruction of the observed surface, and coordinated with remote human operators.. The project integrates research and education through training of undergraduate and graduate students, who will have the opportunity to work in an inclusive, interdisciplinary team across South Carolina, New Jersey, and New Hampshire. The system will be integrated and tested for archaeological mapping at field sites. Research will be conducted along three directions. (1) Robust underwater state estimation based on a deep learning approach and a hybrid representation for 3-D reconstruction that will encode probabilistic occupancy for both navigation and init

Key facts

NSF award ID
2545370
Awardee
University of Delaware (DE)
SAM.gov UEI
T72NHKM259N3
PI
Ioannis Rekleitis
Primary program
01002021DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
All programs
Natl Robotics Initiative (NRI)
Estimated total
$543,726
Funds obligated
$22,664
Transaction type
Standard Grant
Period
07/01/2025 → 09/30/2026