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A team from China’s Wuhan University of Technology has applied for a patent for an integrated unmanned service platform to support groups of AUVs and a method for controlling their operation at sea (writes Peter Donaldson). Mounted on four columns on a pair of pontoon-like hulls connected by cross-members, the proposed platform resembles a small oil rig fitted with a pair of multi-jointed manipulator arms for handling the AUVs. A propeller would enable the platform to move under its own power, which would be harvested by a wave generator between the hulls, an array of solar panels on the deck and a wind turbine on each corner of the deck. The derrick-like structure would be a base station with a GNSS receiver and an inertial positioning system. Arranged around the edges of the deck, the patent drawings show a suite of positioning radars and charging coils. Automatic charging, downloading of data and uploading of instructions would all be handled through the platform. In normal operation, the platform would track the lead or ‘pilot’ AUV of an underwater formation. All the craft would transmit their estimated locations acoustically into the platform’s local area network (LAN), and the platform would correct them using its GNSS reference signal. When an AUV needs recharging, it would surface, update its position via GNSS and then head for the platform. When close enough, it would connect to the wireless LAN to upload its data. Control methods would change according to the distance between an AUV and the service platform. At more than 1 km, an AUV would use inertial navigation to guide it to within range of the platform’s infrared sensors and ultrasonic sonars. At between 1 km and 10 m, the platform’s base station would signal a local network to locate the AUV. Within 10 m, a precision docking system with infrared sensors and sonars operating in different wavebands would position the vehicle for recovery. ‘Rig’ support for AUVs Underwater vehicles The platform would move under its own power harvested from wave, solar and wind energy