Future Trends in Marine Robotics

Abstract

The IEEE Robotics and Automation Society (RAS) Marine Robotics Technical Committee (MRTC) was first established in 2008 following the dismissal of the Underwater Robotics Technical Committee in spring 2008. The goal of the MRTC is to foster research on robots and intelligent systems that extend the human capabilities in marine environments and to promote maritime robotic applications important to science, industry, and defense. The TC organizes conferences, workshops, and special issues that bring marine robotics research to the forefront of the broader robotics community. The TC also introduces its members to the latest development of marine robotics through Web sites and online social media. Marine robotics has been an important branch of robotics since its beginning in the early 1970s. It is a difficult field since many special challenges exist in marine environments that are not present in ground and aerial robotics. These challenges often block the transfer of success from other domains to the marine environments. Marine robotics is also a highly interdisciplinary field that spans engineering, computer science, environmental science, and oceanography. Successful research programs in marine robotics tend to be achieved by collaborations among experts with diversified skills and specialties. Therefore, there is no lack of large-scale, high-impact projects in marine robotics. Over the years, the community has seen research on robots and intelligent systems that extend the human capabilities in marine environments and to promote maritime robotic applications important to science, industry, and defense. The TC organizes conferences, workshops, and special issues that bring marine robotics research to the forefront of the broader robotics community. The TC also introduces its members to the latest development of marine robotics through Web sites and online social media. Marine robotics has been an important branch of robotics since its beginning in the early 1970s. It is a difficult field since many special challenges exist in marine environments that are not present in ground and aerial robotics. These challenges often block the transfer of success from other domains to the marine environments. Marine robotics is also a highly interdisciplinary field that spans engineering, computer science, environmental science, and oceanography. Successful research programs in marine robotics tend to be achieved by collaborations among experts with diversified skills and specialties. Therefore, there is no lack of large-scale, high-impact projects in marine robotics. Over the years, the community has seen