Small scale autonomous watercraft for aquatic mapping

Aquatic mapping or bathymetric mapping in small and shallow waterbodies is a challenging task using conventional bathymetric surveying techniques. In this paper, a small scale multi-hulled watercraft equipped with navigational sensors is developed for autonomous in situ bathymetric data collection using a single beam echosounder (SBES) has been produced. This paper describes the methodology in the integration of existing bathymetric mapping technology into a small scaled autonomous watercraft. The watercraft is designed using hydrodynamic principles and simulation-based optimization process. The result of the study is the design of a watercraft hull form that provides a stable platform for bathymetric mapping in shallow waterbodies less than 100 m deep and waterflow velocities of less than 3 m/s. The watercraft has been tested to be capable of performing autonomous surveying missions in an area of up to 0.0125 km2 with minor deviations.