A Navy-sponsored robot race last week drew 16 teams from as far away as Indonesia, Taiwan and South Korea.
The eighth annual RoboBoat Competition, conducted by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) pitted autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs) pitted against each other in propulsion, navigation and speed. The tasks demonstrated visual sensor and guidance integration, speed and ability to navigate a channel, according to the Navy.Here, Villanova University's SeaCat undergoes some qualifying maneuvers.
"Autonomy is a major focus for the Navy today," said Kelly Cooper, a program officer in ONR's Sea Warfare and Weapons, Ship Systems and Engineering Research Division.."The experiences received here provide students a crucial stepping stone in developing the skills needed to be successful in this important naval career field—these are the scientists and engineers that will undertake the fundamental research and development of our future autonomous naval systems."
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University captured the top prize of $7,000, followed by Florida Atlantic University, University of Michigan and the Daytona Beach Homeschoolers.
