Reef Rover: A Low-Cost Small Autonomous Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) for Mapping and Monitoring Coral Reefs
In the effort to design a more repeatable and consistent platform to collect data for Structure from Motion (SfM) monitoring of coral reefs and other benthic habitats, we explore the use of recent advances in open source Global Positioning System (GPS)-guided drone technology to design and test a lo...
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doaj-f446ca495308406c95e33fef51e2525b2020-11-24T20:41:57ZengMDPI AGDrones2504-446X2019-04-01323810.3390/drones3020038drones3020038Reef Rover: A Low-Cost Small Autonomous Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) for Mapping and Monitoring Coral ReefsGeorge T. Raber0Steven R. Schill1The University of Southern Mississippi, School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USAThe Nature Conservancy, Caribbean Division, Coral Gables, FL 33134, USAIn the effort to design a more repeatable and consistent platform to collect data for Structure from Motion (SfM) monitoring of coral reefs and other benthic habitats, we explore the use of recent advances in open source Global Positioning System (GPS)-guided drone technology to design and test a low-cost and transportable small unmanned surface vehicle (sUSV). The vehicle operates using Ardupilot open source software and can be used by local scientists and marine managers to map and monitor marine environments in shallow areas (<20 m) with commensurate visibility. The imaging system uses two Sony a6300 mirrorless cameras to collect stereo photos that can be later processed using photogrammetry software to create underwater high-resolution orthophoto mosaics and digital surface models. The propulsion system consists of two small brushless motors powered by lithium batteries that follow pre-programmed survey transects and are operated by a GPS-guided autopilot control board. Results from our project suggest the sUSV provides a repeatable, viable, and low-cost (<$3000 USD) solution for acquiring images of benthic environments on a frequent basis from directly below the water surface. These images can be used to create SfM models that provide very detailed images and measurements that can be used to monitor changes in biodiversity, reef erosion/accretion, and assessing health conditions.https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/3/2/38coral reefsmall unmanned surface vehicle (sUSV)RoverunderwaterSfMmonitoring |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
George T. Raber Steven R. Schill |
spellingShingle |
George T. Raber Steven R. Schill Reef Rover: A Low-Cost Small Autonomous Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) for Mapping and Monitoring Coral Reefs Drones coral reef small unmanned surface vehicle (sUSV) Rover underwater SfM monitoring |
author_facet |
George T. Raber Steven R. Schill |
author_sort |
George T. Raber |
title |
Reef Rover: A Low-Cost Small Autonomous Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) for Mapping and Monitoring Coral Reefs |
title_short |
Reef Rover: A Low-Cost Small Autonomous Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) for Mapping and Monitoring Coral Reefs |
title_full |
Reef Rover: A Low-Cost Small Autonomous Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) for Mapping and Monitoring Coral Reefs |
title_fullStr |
Reef Rover: A Low-Cost Small Autonomous Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) for Mapping and Monitoring Coral Reefs |
title_full_unstemmed |
Reef Rover: A Low-Cost Small Autonomous Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) for Mapping and Monitoring Coral Reefs |
title_sort |
reef rover: a low-cost small autonomous unmanned surface vehicle (usv) for mapping and monitoring coral reefs |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Drones |
issn |
2504-446X |
publishDate |
2019-04-01 |
description |
In the effort to design a more repeatable and consistent platform to collect data for Structure from Motion (SfM) monitoring of coral reefs and other benthic habitats, we explore the use of recent advances in open source Global Positioning System (GPS)-guided drone technology to design and test a low-cost and transportable small unmanned surface vehicle (sUSV). The vehicle operates using Ardupilot open source software and can be used by local scientists and marine managers to map and monitor marine environments in shallow areas (<20 m) with commensurate visibility. The imaging system uses two Sony a6300 mirrorless cameras to collect stereo photos that can be later processed using photogrammetry software to create underwater high-resolution orthophoto mosaics and digital surface models. The propulsion system consists of two small brushless motors powered by lithium batteries that follow pre-programmed survey transects and are operated by a GPS-guided autopilot control board. Results from our project suggest the sUSV provides a repeatable, viable, and low-cost (<$3000 USD) solution for acquiring images of benthic environments on a frequent basis from directly below the water surface. These images can be used to create SfM models that provide very detailed images and measurements that can be used to monitor changes in biodiversity, reef erosion/accretion, and assessing health conditions. |
topic |
coral reef small unmanned surface vehicle (sUSV) Rover underwater SfM monitoring |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/3/2/38 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT georgetraber reefroveralowcostsmallautonomousunmannedsurfacevehicleusvformappingandmonitoringcoralreefs AT stevenrschill reefroveralowcostsmallautonomousunmannedsurfacevehicleusvformappingandmonitoringcoralreefs |
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