Team Member(s): Anton Yaresko, Alexander Keyhani
Semester: Fall 2011
End-Product Description
The Autonomous Research Surface Vessel is a fully-autonomous and fully-electric marine robot which will aid in the advancement of environmental science and water research. The main function of this autonomous vessel is to collect water samples from various user-specified locations within a large body of water, such as a pond, lake or ocean. The vessel will use satellite GPS to navigate to each location entered by the user and will be able to return to a starting point after completing the water sampling route. Various electronic hardware components and software applications will be used to create this Autonomous Research Surface Vessel, some of which are the following: GPS and 3-D compass for the navigation system, proximity sensors for the obstacle avoidance system, solar panel to provide power for run-time extension, and student-written programs to control overall functionality of the vessel. The project will use a lithium-ion battery pack as a main power supply. Overall this project will promote both science and education through engineering and also environmental awareness through its core purpose and solar technology.
This project was proudly sponsored by Southern Aluminum and Steel, Homerun Holdings Corporation, Avalex Technologies, and the University of West Florida Office of Undergraduate Research.
Figure: Project Flowchart of Sampling Route Execution 
Figure: Project Testing, Crescent Lake (Pensacola, Fl.) 
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