I have seen this technologyin the CSIR Technofest 2010, showcased by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, at India International Trade Fair during November 14-27, 2010 New Delhi, India. I understand that "Autonomous Underwater Vehicle" was developed by Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute, Durgapur, under the aegis of CSIR, New Delhi.
Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI) - has developed India's first indigenous autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). The mega system can fulfill tasks such as seafloor mapping, coastal surveillance, mine countermeasure, and oceanographic measurements during adverse weather conditions.
The AUV has been built to operate 150 feet under the sea (see Specifications) to map the seafloor and collect sensor-based data. With no physical cable connection to the surface control station and possessing on-board intelligence and energy supply, the vehicle, designated as AUV-150, has much to boast about.
The AUV technology will be an essential technology of the future as our dependence on ocean resources increases. The need for autonomous underwater vehicles is already being felt for activities such as inspection, location of objects, survey on the ocean floor, and surveillance.
The same vehicle with required customization may be used for other future applications such as coastal monitoring, military reconnaissance, mine counter measuring, cable and pipeline surveys, littoral zone sensing, and more.
FEATURES
AUV-150 is a cylindrical-shaped carrier with streamlined fairing to reduce hydrodynamic drag. It is embedded with advanced power, propulsion, navigation, and control systems. The propulsion system comprises thrusters for generating motion in different directions to control surge, sway, heave, pitch, and yaw, while preventing the vehicle from rolling. Two arrays of cross-fins have also been fixed at the two ends to provide additional stability to the AUV. A lithium polymer battery powers the vehicle and a pressure hull contains its electronics and energy system.
The autonomous vehicle is equipped with a number of navigational (inertial navigation system, depth sensor, altimeter, doppler velocity log, forward looking sonar, global positioning system through ultra- short baseline system, which is a method of underwater acoustic positioning and payload sensors (side scan sonar, camera, and CTD or conductivity-temperature-depth recorder). For smooth communication and distant intervention, the vehicle is equipped with hybrid communication system: it radio frequency on surface and acoustic under water.
The final prototype is capable of exploring the seafloor for unlimited treasure which can be used for mankind, for example, minerals (metals, oil, natural gas, and chemicals), medicines, and food.
AUV System details
Sea Grade 6061-T6 Al Alloy Body
Length: 4.8 m
Diameter: 0.5 m
Total Weight : 490 kgf
Buoyancy force: 495 kgf
Depth of operatin: 150m
Speed: 4 knots
Modular in design
D.O.F. -5, Stable against Roll
Lithium Polymer Battery
The below links may be useful for more details and information
