Sensing networks and beyond

Sensing networks and beyond
The elements previously described are the most immediate
requirements for unmanned platforms in the underwater domain.
However, other long-term subsea applications are appearing
posing other problems and challenges. The planning
community can help to overcome them.
Ocean observatories in oceanology, all year round subsea
field inspection for the energy industry and continous
harbour and coast patroling for the Navy are emerging, requiring
a more permanent presence of robotic and sensing
tools underwater. These applications are demanding underwater
networks of fixed sensors in combination with fleets
of AUVs and gliders. These sensing webs require decision
making algorithms in order to be able to optimize the management
of heterogeneous assets and resources, to couple
observation systems and ocean models, to minimize error
in the reconstruction of ocean fields and to provide fast dynamic
response to events.