Autonomous Systems

Autonomous Technology for Hydrographic Surveying

Deck and survey crew of NOAA Ship Ferdinand R. Hassler during Office of Coast Survey's evaluation of AUVs for charting applications.

Autonomous Systems

From self-driving cars to camera-equipped drones, the capabilities of unmanned systems are rapidly advancing. NOAA's Office of Coast Survey has been investigating the use of autonomous survey systems to support hydrographic survey operations since 2004. The goal is to explore how autonomy provides more efficient and effective acquisition of environmental data to support NOAA's navigation products and services.

Coast Survey's Autonomous Systems Strategy

• Develop technology and procedures, including automated data acquisition and processing tools, new data acquisition procedures, and data telemetry to support unmanned operations and benefit conventional manned survey platforms.
• Establish a dedicated Coast Survey team specializing in the operational use of unmanned systems.
• Convert existing hydrographic survey launches to operate in either manned or unmanned modes to take advantage of existing shipboard infrastructure and expertise, while incrementally adopting new technology and procedures.
View of NOAA Ship Ferdinand R. Hassler from an autonomous underwater vehicle.
• Continue to support the development and transfer-to-operations of unmanned systems that benefit Coast Survey's mission.
• Continue to collaborate with government, academic and industry partners to share expertise and resources and direct and expedite development.