FSI members presented at the launch of the University Strategic Research Group (USRG) in Autonomous Systems on Friday 20th March. The USRG undertakes work in autonomous systems, sensing, computing, communications and platforms in order to provide world class, cost effective capabilities for scientists and other users. The developed technologies will be employed by society to develop and maintain a low carbon economy, conduct earth science research and other applications from sub-sea, surface, land, air and space.
Presentations were given by Dr Sally Bennett in ‘Autonomous Maritime Platforms – surface and submerged’ discussing the autonomous platforms developed here in Southampton and jointly with the NOC, Dr Gabriel Weymouth in ‘Maritime robotics – getting up close’ discussing the development of persistent energy sources and the potential of soft materials in the future development maritime robotic systems, Ms Cath Holyhead in ‘Autonomous marine sensors for energy scavenging from fixed moorings’ discussing her PhD work, and Dr Jon Downes in ‘Smart Autonomous Ships for safer seas’ discussing the potential uses of autonomy in ships, the potential for autonomous systems for inspection of ship structures, and highlighting the work of the maritime robotics laboratory (www.southampton.ac.uk/maritime-robotics-lab).