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Unmanned Surface Vehicles: History
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Contributor: Eng Editorial Office

An unmanned surface vehicle (USV), also termed an uncrewed surface vehicle or autonomous surface vessel, is a marine craft that operates on the water surface without a human crew onboard, executing missions through remote control by an operator or through onboard autonomous navigation, guidance, and control systems [1]. The USV comprises the surface hull, propulsion and steering, sensors for environmental perception and navigation, an onboard computing and control system, and a communication link to a remote operator or shore station; the degree of autonomy ranges from fully remote-controlled teleoperation to self-governed operation with limited human supervision [1]. USVs are distinguished from unmanned underwater vehicles, which operate beneath the surface, and from conventional crewed vessels by the absence of onboard personnel; they may operate on inland waters, coastal areas, or open ocean and are governed by maritime collision regulations adapted to uncrewed operation [2]. The platform relies on real-time perception, state estimation, and path planning to maintain station, follow tracks, and avoid obstacles in the presence of waves, currents, and wind disturbances [3].

  • unmanned surface vehicle
  • USV
  • marine autonomous surface craft
  • surface robotic vessel

Autonomous Vehicle Technology and Safety •  Automotive Engineering •  Engineering •  Physical Sciences

References

  1. Zhixiang Liu; Youmin Zhang; Xiang Yu; Chi Yuan; Unmanned surface vehicles: An overview of developments and challenges. Annu. Rev. Control 2016, 41, 71-93, 10.1016/j.arcontrol.2016.04.018.
  2. Thor I. Fossen. Handbook of Marine Craft Hydrodynamics and Motion Control; Wiley: Hoboken, NJ, United States, 2011. [CrossRef]
  3. Roberts, G.N.; Sutton, R. (Eds.) Advances in Unmanned Marine Vehicles; IET Control Engineering Series 69; Institution of Engineering and Technology: London, UK, 2006
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