Application of Underwater Robots in the Waters Around Okinawa

Abstract

　In Japan, many kinds of underwater robots have been increasingly developed since the Great East Japan Earthquake. The authors have developed underwater robots for marine survey and conservation activities in the waters around Okinawa for over 10 years. We have been conducting verification test on developed equipment and proposed method to increase the safety and efficiency of underwater work. In this paper, Chapter 2 describes the development of an underwater robot that injects acetic acid into crown-thorns-starfish for coral conservation and the development of a towed underwater robot for coral investigation. Chapters 3 and 4 describe underwater archeological survey and educational activities utilizing our surface and underwater robots. In the survey, we created a seafloor 3D map using photogrammetry technology and underwater camera system.