Within the framework of the PLOME project, a series of experiments were conducted in July 2024 to validate the effectiveness of the proposed methodologies for long-duration missions. One of the key achievements was demonstrating the capability of the autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) Girona 1000 to perform autonomous docking and undocking operations.
This innovative technology enables the AUV to securely dock within a dedicated docking station (DS) upon completing its mission. When the DS is connected to shore, it facilitates the transmission of collected data and the recharging of the vehicle’s batteries while protecting the vehicle. Although the July trials confirmed that a mission can be initiated from within the DS and that the AUV can return to it upon mission completion, the experiments did not test the battery recharging and data transmission processes because the DS was not connected to shore.
In March and April 2025, researchers at the Universitat de Girona are performing additional tests to fully validate these technologies. The DS has now been installed in the remodeled water tank at the CIRS facility, which has been upgraded to accommodate experiments of a larger scale. Successful repetitions of docking and undocking maneuvers have already been recorded, along with the effective recharging of the AUV using the Wireless Inductive Charger (WIC) manufactured by WiSub.
The device, known as Maelstorm 180W, not only provides inductive charging but also supports inductive communication with the vehicle. However, efforts are currently underway to improve the charging efficiency, as the actual power output does not meet those on the specifications. When all systems of the AUV are activated, the energy supplied by the charger is only marginally above the vehicle’s consumption. Therefore, we are studying how to implement a stand-by mode that reduces the AUV’s consumption, allowing for faster charging. Additionally, the project is addressing challenges related to data communications. Inductive communication has proven unreliable for transmitting large data packets, prompting the integration of a pair of optical modems to enable higher-speed connections.
Over the coming weeks, the team will continue refining these charging and data transmission technologies, alongside conducting long-duration tests. These efforts aim to ensure that the AUV operates reliably and efficiently, ultimately achieving permanent functionality through the DS.
The ongoing advancements in the PLOME project mark significant progress in the realm of autonomous underwater operations, paving the way for long-duration mission capabilities and improved operational efficiency.
