Affiliation:
1. School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China
2. Southern Laboratory of Ocean Science and Engineering, Zhuhai 519082, China
3. Office of the President and Vice-Chancellor, Memorial University, St. John’s, NL A1B 1T5, Canada
Abstract
This study presents a comprehensive review of the development and progression of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) in polar regions, aiming to synthesize past experiences and provide guidance for future advancements and applications. We extensively explore the history of notable polar AUV deployments worldwide, identifying and addressing the key technological challenges these vehicles face. These include advanced navigation techniques, strategic path planning, efficient obstacle avoidance, robust communication, stable energy supply, reliable launch and recovery, and thorough risk analysis. Furthermore, this study categorizes the typical capabilities and applications of AUVs in polar contexts, such as under-ice mapping and measurement, water sampling, ecological investigation, seafloor mapping, and surveillance networking. We also briefly highlight existing research gaps and potential future challenges in this evolving field.
Funder
National Natural Science Foundation of China
National Key R&D Program of China
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Discovery Grant programme
Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation