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Marine Autonomous Vehicles: Design, Test and Operation—Second Edition
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Marine Autonomous Vehicles: Design, Test and Operation—Second Edition

A special issue of Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (ISSN 2077-1312). This special issue belongs to the section "Ocean Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 August 2025 | Viewed by 7851

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Yanhui Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
Interests: design theory and method of underwater vehicles; deep-sea intelligent equipment technology and application; networking technology and application of underwater unmanned systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Shaoqiong Yang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
Interests: simulation and experimental studies of autonomous underwater vehicles; design theory and method of underwater gliders; design of new generation of self-supporting bionic underwater vehicles
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The arrival of the Ocean Century has been stimulated by various needs, such as marine resources, seabed topography, marine environment, and marine rights, and marine observation and exploration technology has significantly developed, especially the technology of marine autonomous vehicles.

Now, the Journal of Marine Science and Engineering is pleased to announce a new Special Issue, entitled Marine Autonomous Vehicles: Design, Test and Operation—Second Edition. This is based on the great success of our previous Special Issue with the same title: Marine Autonomous Vehicles: Design, Test and Operation.

This Special Issue, titled Marine Autonomous Vehicles: Design, Test and Operation, welcomes contributions from experts and scholars in the field of marine autonomous vehicles design, test, and operation, including, but not limited to, the following main aspects:

  1. The design, test, and operation of marine autonomous vehicles (including deep-sea-manned submersibles, autonomous underwater vehicles, wave gliders, underwater gliders, intelligent buoys, submarine buoys, surface drift buoys, and new concept underwater vehicles);
  2. Unit technologies supporting the marine autonomous vehicles’ design, testing, and operation (new energy power, intelligent control, navigation and positioning, etc.);
  3. The design, test, and operation of ocean sensing technology (acoustic, optical, electromagnetic, etc.) and their applications;
  4. Marine autonomous vehicles cluster/networking technology;
  5. Theory, methods, technologies, and applications of ocean big data processing and machine learning.

Prof. Dr. Yanhui Wang
Prof. Dr. Shaoqiong Yang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • deep-sea manned submersible
  • autonomous underwater vehicle
  • wave glider
  • underwater glider
  • intelligent buoy
  • submarine buoy
  • surface drift buoy
  • new concept underwater vehicles

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 9326 KiB  
Article
Vibroacoustic Response of a Disc-Type Underwater Glider During Its Entry into Water
by Zhaocheng Sun, Yanting Yu, Dong Li, Chuanlin He and Yue Zhang
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(3), 544; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13030544 - 12 Mar 2025
Viewed by 398
Abstract
Underwater gliders are extensively employed in oceanographic observation and detection. The structural characteristics of thin-wall shells are more susceptible to vibrations from internal mechanical components; this noise emission becomes more complex with the presence of water surfaces. The finite element method (FEM) is [...] Read more.
Underwater gliders are extensively employed in oceanographic observation and detection. The structural characteristics of thin-wall shells are more susceptible to vibrations from internal mechanical components; this noise emission becomes more complex with the presence of water surfaces. The finite element method (FEM) is introduced to discuss the dynamic performance of cylindrical shells with different lengths. The acoustic-structure coupling, together with the effect of the water surface, is validated by comparisons with experimental or analytical solutions under three cases: half-filled, half-submerged, and partially submerged in fluid. Compared to the verification result, the relative error of the eigenfrequency derived from the numerical result is less than 3%, and then the mesh division and boundary conditions are adjusted to calculate the vibroacoustic response of a disc-type glider. During its water entry process, there are six distinct bright curves in frequency–depth spectra of sound pressure radiated from a partially immersed disc-type glider. The first curve is continuous, while the remaining five curves display discontinuities around a region where the geometric curvature changes gradually. As the submerged depth increases, this causes a shift in the resonance frequencies, evidenced by the curves transitioning from higher to lower frequencies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Autonomous Vehicles: Design, Test and Operation—Second Edition)
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21 pages, 12530 KiB  
Article
Optimization of Configuration Design for Underwater Dam Defect Detection Vehicles
by Hong-Xia Cheng, Mei-Jie Cao, Peng-Fei Xu, Yan Kai, Zi-Peng Wang, Gang Wan and Qiao Hu
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(2), 192; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13020192 - 21 Jan 2025
Viewed by 703
Abstract
Hydropower stations and dams play a crucial role in water management, ecology, and energy. To meet the requirements of underwater dam defect detection, this study develops a streamlined underwater vehicle design and operational framework inspired by bionic principles. A parametric modeling approach was [...] Read more.
Hydropower stations and dams play a crucial role in water management, ecology, and energy. To meet the requirements of underwater dam defect detection, this study develops a streamlined underwater vehicle design and operational framework inspired by bionic principles. A parametric modeling approach was employed to propose the vehicle’s streamlined configuration. Using CFD simulations, hydrodynamic coefficients were calculated and validated through towing experiments in a pool. The hydrodynamic stability of the vehicle was assessed and verified through these analyses. Additionally, various configurations were generated using a free deformation method. An optimization function was established with resistance and stability as the objectives, and the optimal result was derived based on the function’s calculation outcomes. The study designed a high-metacentric underwater vehicle, inspired by the seahorse’s shape, and introduced a novel stability evaluation method. Simulations were conducted to analyze the vehicle’s variable attack angle, drift angle, pitching, and rotational motion at a forward three-throttle speed. The results demonstrate that the vehicle achieves static stability in both the horizontal and vertical planes, as well as dynamic stability in the vertical plane, but exhibits limited dynamic stability in the horizontal plane. After optimizing the original configuration, the forward resistance was reduced by 2.15%, while the horizontal plane dynamic stability criterion CH was improved by 35.29%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Autonomous Vehicles: Design, Test and Operation—Second Edition)
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17 pages, 4222 KiB  
Article
Design of Deep-Sea Acoustic Vector Sensors for Unmanned Platforms
by Qindong Sun and Lianglong Da
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(1), 43; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13010043 - 30 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1004
Abstract
To meet the critical need for compact, multifunctional acoustic vector sensors on deep-sea unmanned platforms such as acoustic profiling buoys and underwater gliders, we have developed a novel composite resonant acoustic vector sensor capable of large-depth operations. The sensor innovatively integrates the sound [...] Read more.
To meet the critical need for compact, multifunctional acoustic vector sensors on deep-sea unmanned platforms such as acoustic profiling buoys and underwater gliders, we have developed a novel composite resonant acoustic vector sensor capable of large-depth operations. The sensor innovatively integrates the sound pressure channel and the vector channel, and utilizes the conjugate cross-spectrum between them to effectively reduce the isotropic noise, enhance the detection of weak signals from ships, and make up for the shortcomings of a single sound pressure channel and a vector channel. Certified to function reliably at depths up to 1500 m, field sea trials confirm its efficacy in deep-sea deployments, capturing essential marine environmental noise data. Key analysis during sea trials focused on marine ambient noise levels captured at frequencies of 65 Hz, 125 Hz, 315 Hz, 400 Hz, and 500 Hz, correlating these with changes in depth. The test results revealed the following insights: (a) At the same depth, the marine environmental noise level increases as the frequency decreases; (b) At the same frequency, the marine environmental noise level decreases with increasing depth; (c) Under favorable deep-sea conditions, the marine environmental noise level reaches 55 decibels (dB) at 500 Hz; (d) Noise levels tend to increase at various frequencies when surface ships are in proximity. These findings underscore its significant potential for enhancing deep-sea acoustic surveillance and exploration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Autonomous Vehicles: Design, Test and Operation—Second Edition)
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23 pages, 9045 KiB  
Article
Straight-Line Trajectory Tracking Control of Unmanned Sailboat Based on NMPC Velocity and Heading Joint Control
by Kai Liu, Jiancheng Yu and Wentao Zhao
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(1), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13010015 - 26 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 872
Abstract
This study proposes a trajectory tracking approach for unmanned sailboats that integrates velocity and heading control using nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC). Unlike conventional methods, which typically rely on separate control strategies for maximum velocity and heading, this study employs a joint control [...] Read more.
This study proposes a trajectory tracking approach for unmanned sailboats that integrates velocity and heading control using nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC). Unlike conventional methods, which typically rely on separate control strategies for maximum velocity and heading, this study employs a joint control framework based on NMPC. This approach allows for constrained control, ensuring that the sailboat operates safely at the desired velocity, forming a foundation for trajectory tracking. The trajectory tracking strategy, built on the joint control of velocity and heading, is further categorized into upwind and non-upwind tracking based on the wind direction. For non-upwind tracking, the desired heading is determined using the Line-of-Sight (LOS) navigation method, while the desired velocity is calculated through a backstepping method grounded in the Lyapunov stability theorem. For upwind tracking, a zigzag strategy is introduced, using the maximum lateral error to switch headings and ensure that the sailboat remains close to the trajectory. The simulation results show that the proposed method can effectively control the velocity and heading and realize accurate trajectory tracking of the unmanned sailboat under different wind conditions. The average error of velocity and heading control is close to zero. During trajectory tracking, the maximum control error is less than 0.35%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Autonomous Vehicles: Design, Test and Operation—Second Edition)
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18 pages, 6723 KiB  
Article
Design and Development of 10,000-Meter Class Autonomous Underwater Vehicle
by Jiali Xu, Zhaopeng Du, Xianqing Huang, Chong Ren, Shuai Fa and Shaoqiong Yang
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(11), 2097; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12112097 - 19 Nov 2024
Viewed by 2189
Abstract
As a significant subset of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) possess the capability to autonomously execute tasks. Characterized by its flexibility, cost-effectiveness, extensive operational range, and robust environmental adaptability, AUV has emerged as the primary technological apparatus for deep-sea exploration [...] Read more.
As a significant subset of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) possess the capability to autonomously execute tasks. Characterized by its flexibility, cost-effectiveness, extensive operational range, and robust environmental adaptability, AUV has emerged as the primary technological apparatus for deep-sea exploration and research. In this paper, we present the design of a 10,000 m class AUV equipped with capabilities such as fixed-depth navigation, regional autonomous cruising, full-depth video recording, and temperature and salinity profiling. Initially, we outline the comprehensive design of the AUV, detailing its structural configuration, system components, functional module arrangement, and operational principles. Subsequently, we compute the hydrodynamic parameters using a spatial kinematics model. Finally, the AUV designed in this paper is tested for its functions and performance, such as fixed-depth sailing, maximum speed, and maximum diving depth, and its reliability and practicability are verified. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Autonomous Vehicles: Design, Test and Operation—Second Edition)
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21 pages, 3296 KiB  
Article
Multi Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Distributed Collaborative Search Method Based on a Fuzzy Clustering Map and Policy Iteration
by Kaiqian Cai, Guocheng Zhang, Yushan Sun, Guoli Ding and Fengchi Xu
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(9), 1521; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12091521 - 2 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1446
Abstract
Collaborative search with multiple Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) significantly enhances search efficiency compared to the use of a single AUV, facilitating the rapid completion of extensive search tasks. However, challenges arise in underwater environments characterized by weak communication and dynamic complexities. In large [...] Read more.
Collaborative search with multiple Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) significantly enhances search efficiency compared to the use of a single AUV, facilitating the rapid completion of extensive search tasks. However, challenges arise in underwater environments characterized by weak communication and dynamic complexities. In large marine areas, the limited endurance of a single AUV makes it impossible to cover the entire area, necessitating a collaborative approach using multiple AUVs. Addressing the limited prior information available in uncertain marine environments, this paper proposes a map-construction method using fuzzy clustering based on regional importance. Furthermore, a collaborative search method for large marine areas has been designed using a policy-iteration-based reinforcement learning algorithm. Through continuous sensing and interaction during the marine search process, multiple AUVs constantly update the map of regional importance and iteratively optimize the collaborative search strategy to achieve higher search gains. Simulation results confirm the effective utilization of limited information in uncertain environments and demonstrate enhanced search gains in collaborative scenarios. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Autonomous Vehicles: Design, Test and Operation—Second Edition)
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