Combined Satellite and Visible Light Communications Realization of Long-Distance Remote Control of Underwater Robot

Abstract

A flexible and stable underwater wireless communication method is needed to realize cable-free underwater robots. However, commonly used acoustic communication is susceptible to multipath and difficult to communicate in polar and shallow water regions. In this study, we developed a system that enables a remote operator to remotely control a robot deployed underwater by combining visible light wireless communication and satellite communication. As a result of a demonstration experiment, an underwater robot in Hokkaido was successfully remote-controlled from Tokyo.