Development of an observation system for hydrothermal area using an autonomous underwater vehicle

在这项研究中，我们开发了一种智能的水下航行器，实现了对大范围热液区域的精确视觉观测系统。系统的主要开发技术有：水下航行器在热液烟囱周围的导航方法，包括烟囱在内的海底三维可视化建模方法以及建模的自动分析方法。该观测系统可为学术调查或海底资源开发提供定量数据。

In this research, we developed an AUV’s intelligence and achieved a precise visual observation system for a wide hydrothermal area. The main developmental techniques of the system are as follows; a navigation method of AUV around hydrothermal chimneys, a 3D visual modeling method of seafloor including the chimneys, and an automatic analysis method of the modeling. The observation system enables to achieve a quantitative data for an academic investigation or a development of seabed resource.