Title
Coverage path planning with realtime replanning for inspection of 3D underwater structures
Abstract
We present a novel method for planning 3D coverage paths for inspection of complex structures on the ocean floor (such as seamounts or coral reefs) using an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). Our method initially uses an a priori map to plan a nominal coverage path that allows the AUV to pass its sensors over all points on the target structure. We then go beyond previous approaches in the literature by considering the vehicle's position uncertainty rather than relying on the unrealistic assumption of an idealized path execution. To this aim, we present a replanning algorithm based on stochastic trajectory optimization that reshapes the nominal path to cope with the actual target structure perceived in situ. The replanning algorithm runs onboard the AUV in realtime during the inspection mission, adapting the path according to the measurements provided by the vehicle's range sensing sonars. We demonstrate the efficacy of our method in experiments at sea using the GIRONA 500 AUV where we cover a concrete block of a breakwater structure in a harbor and an underwater boulder rising from 40 m up to 27 m depth. Moreover, we apply state-of-the-art surface reconstruction techniques to the data acquired by the AUV and obtain 3D models of the inspected structures that show the benefits of our planning method for 3D mapping.
Year
DOI
Venue
2014
10.1109/ICRA.2014.6907831
Robotics and Automation
Keywords
Field
DocType
autonomous underwater vehicles,inspection,path planning,sonar,stochastic programming,surface reconstruction,3D coverage path planning,3D mapping,3D models,3D underwater structures,GIRONA 500 AUV,autonomous underwater vehicle,breakwater structure,complex structures inspection,idealized path execution,inspected structures,inspection mission,ocean floor,planning method,realtime replanning,replanning algorithm,stochastic trajectory optimization,surface reconstruction techniques,target structure,underwater boulder,vehicle position uncertainty,vehicle range sensing sonars
Motion planning,Systems engineering,Simulation,Control engineering,Engineering,Underwater
Conference
Volume
Issue
ISSN
2014
1
1050-4729
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
4
0.45
10
Authors
4
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Enric Galceran123613.50
Ricard Campos2636.62
Narcís Palomeras311313.76
Marc Carreras437431.66