A hardware proof of concept for a remote control glacier surveying boat

Neal, Mark, Blanchard, Tom, Hubbard, Alun, Bates, Richard and Woodward, John (2012) A hardware proof of concept for a remote control glacier surveying boat. Journal of Field Robotics, 29 (6). pp. 880-890. ISSN 1556-4967

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Abstract

The design of a prototype remote-controlled glacier-surveying robot, capable of taking accurate above- and below-water measurements of calving glacier fronts, using swath bathymetry and laser scanning hardware is presented. Data captured using the remote control system during field trials on the Lille Gletscher in western Greenland are informally compared with data captured using the same sensors from the same glacier using a much larger manned vessel during the same time period. The potential use of such a device during extended repeat survey missions is discussed and the implications in terms of both the improvement in data quality and the logistics in the field are also outlined. Future improvements to the robot and in particular the control system are described, as well as mechanical and electrical design considerations that became apparent during trials. The transition to a more autonomous system and the possibility of full autonomy are considered.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	F800 Physical and Terrestrial Geographical and Environmental Sciences
Department:	Faculties > Engineering and Environment > Geography and Environmental Sciences
Depositing User:	Prof John Woodward
Date Deposited:	14 May 2012 17:26
Last Modified:	13 Oct 2019 00:31
URI:	http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/7070

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