Page 13: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (April 2022)

this application a forward looking multibeam sonar is used to through the course of the evolution.

create a sonar mosaic image of the hull in real time. The robot Armach Robotics is currently using this autonomous capa- is then able to identify dozens of uniquely identi? able features bility to simplify proactive in-water cleaning operations by that can be referenced and compared against each other as the enabling use of multiple robots by one small on-site crew, ? ip- robot completes multiple passes through the same area. The ping the current paradigm of a large crew for each cleaning robot then applies the information learned from these compari- tool in use. Armach will be adding sensors to the robot in the sons to eliminate any navigation error and update its position future. As that occurs, signi? cantly more data will be collected on the ship hull. by the robot over the course of the evolution, and when com-

The forward looking sonar also enables obstacle detection bined with the precision positioning, will enable provision of and avoidance capabilities, critical to autonomous navigation valuable information to vessel operators, managers and main- on a surface that will have occasional obstructions and non- tainers, but that will be the topic of a follow-on article.

navigable regions. Ultimately, machine learning will allow for cataloging of these obstacles and obstructions, improving the

The Author detail of the collected data product, but simple feature detec-

Lander tion is suf? cient to allow for avoidance algorithms to operate.

Following a 25+ year career in the marine

Upon completion of the evolution, the robot’s path can be industry, including 20 years in the US Coast overlaid onto the complete sonar mosaic of the hull show-

Guard, Karl Lander joined Armach Robotics ing the area covered, providing proof of coverage as well as as a Senior Program Manager. showing any items of interest that were identi? ed and ? agged

Photo Credit: Armach Robotics www.marinelink.com 13

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