José Almeida

TL;DR: In this article, the use of robotic systems for risk assessment is validated through several missions performed either in river scenario (in very shallow water conditions) and in marine coastlines, where the ROAZ is an ocean capable catamaran.

TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present the integration of obstacle detection and analysis capabilities in a coherent and advanced C&C framework allowing mixed-mode control in unmanned surface systems, and the collision avoidance work has been successfully integrated in an operational autonomous surface vehicle and demonstrated in real operational conditions.

TL;DR: The system implemented in the autonomous surface vehicle ROAZ, developed by LSA-ISEP to perform missions in river environment, test autonomous AUV docking capabilities and multiple AUV/ASV coordinated missions is presented.

TL;DR: In this paper, the design and development of the swordfish autonomous surface vehicle (ASV) system is discussed, which is an ocean capable 4.5 m long catamaran designed for network centric operations (with ocean and air going vehicles and human operators).

Abstract: The ocean and the Blue Economy are increasingly top priorities worldwide. The immense ocean territory in the planet and its huge associated economical potential is envisioned to increase the activity at the ocean in the forthcoming years. The support of these activities, and the convergence to the Internet of Things paradigm, will demand wireless and mobile communications to connect humans and systems at remote ocean areas. Currently, there is no communications solution enabling cost-effective broadband Internet access at remote ocean areas in alternative to expensive, narrowband satellite communications. This paper presents the maritime communications solution being developed in the BLUECOM+ project. The BLUE-COM+ solution enables cost-effective broadband Internet access at remote ocean areas using standard wireless access technologies, e.g., GPRS/UMTS/LTE and Wi-Fi. Its novelty lies on the joint use of TV white spaces for long range radio communications, tethered balloons for lifting communications nodes high above the ocean surface, multi-hop relaying techniques for radio range extension, and standard access networks at the ocean. Simulation results prove it is possible to reach radio ranges beyond 100 km and bitrates in excess of 3 Mbit/s using a two-hop land-sea communications chain.