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44 st / May 2016 www.sea-technology.com Dr. Enrico Simetti is an assistant professor at DIBRIS, University of Genova. His main research interests are control systems and coordination algorithms for robotic platforms. In particular, he has a strong back- ground in embedded systems, marine robotics and manipulation. Dr. Sandro Torelli is a research fellow at DIBRIS, Uni- versity of Genova. He is mainly interested in the de- velopment and control of robotic systems, with par- ticular focus on underwater and ground robotics for intervention, coordination of marine surface vehicles for surveillance, and security applications in civilian harbor environments. Alessandro Sperindé is a research fellow at DIBRIS, University of Genova. His main research interests are control architectures for underwater and ground robots, underwater acoustic communication, and vi- sion systems for robotics manipulation. operation with the Italian Navy's Center for Naval Sup- port and Experimentation. Acknowledgments The authors would like to thank Gianluca Antonelli, Filippo Arrichiello, Paolo di Lillo, Ninad Manerikar, and Francesco Wanderlingh for their fundamental contribu- tions during all phases of the project. This research has been funded by DESA Engineering. ST channel, near the boatyard that built the USVs' hulls in Italy. The tests were aimed to verify some operational pa- rameters of the USVs. From these experiments, the maxi- mum velocity of the USVs was demonstrated as between 3.5 and 4 kt., the Wi-Fi communication range as greater than 1 km, and the battery capacity as having an opera- tional time of 8 to 10 hr. The radio control was also tested, and it proved to be an important feature to manually con- trol the USVs in cluttered areas, such as the harbor area near the boatyard. A second set of tests was carried out in the Alento Dam, near Naples, Italy, after the delivery of the USVs to the end-user. The tests were aimed at covering the navigation capabilities of the USVs. The vehicles were commanded by the end-user to navigate autonomously following a set of waypoints sent through the ground control station, and this demonstrated the simplicity of operating the USVs. Future Research Trends In the future, ISME intends to pursue research trends regarding cooperation between unmanned systems. Thanks to the experience gained during the joint project with DESA Engineering, ISME is developing its own cata- maran to implement cooperative control algorithms with both its underwater vehicles and aerial drones. ISME is studying the topics of take-off, landing and underwater docking. The availability of such a platform, capable of acting as an intelligent buoy for the underwater vehicles, as well as extending the action range of the aerial drones, could provide a breakthrough for many operations, including search and rescue, which, unfortunately, often occurs in the Mediterranean Sea. For this reason, this research will be carried out in co- -Jack Fisher, Founder Call for a free catalog or visit our wesite: www.jwfishers.com Fishers Pulse 6X and 8X detectors detect all metals, on land and underwater. Their Diver Mag 1 is a super sensi- tive detector for iron/steel targets and works above and below water. All are built for commercial operations and have audio and visual readouts. Interchangeable coils for Pulse 6X & 8X make them extremely versatile. 1953 County St., E. Taunton, MA 02718 USA • (800)822-4744 (508)822-7330 • FAX: (508)880-8949 • email: info@jwfishers.com • www.jwfishers.com MC-1 Mini Camera $2,095 Sub Bottom Profiler $18,995 Marine Magnetometer $12,995 $20,995 ROVs $20,995 Side Scans PT-1 Pipe Tracker $3,995 "Fishers make the most powerful and ruggedly constructed underwater metal detectors you can own" Diver Held Mag Diver Mag 1 $9,495 Only $2,395 Pulse 8X Proton 4 Underwater Metal Detector From From