The autonomous kayak is suitable for many types of missions - a payload of over 25 kg allows extensive instrumentation and other equipment attachments.
The kayak has been outfitted with range-finding sonar to map the seabed. It has also been equipped to measure turbidity and crude oil to detect water contamination.
The greatest value of the kayak is as part of an underwater acoustic communication network. Missions performed with several autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) have utilized the kayak as a link between the underwater network of AUVs and the support vessel.
Current work in constructing several more kayaks will enable experimentation for research into networks of acoustic devices, without the expense and complications associated with submersible vehicles. |
