Collaborative Autonomous Systems for Maritime Search and Rescue Using USVs and UAVs

This is one of two research projects studying unmanned aerial and surface vehicles (UAVs and USVs). Shanghai Jiao Tong University is the home institution for this project. To view the Melbourne-based partner project, click here.

Unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can be used collaboratively to finish a complex task so as to reduce the cost and the risk involved. Hence, it has a significant potential in maritime search and rescue, in which uncertainties in the environments are huge with the limited sensing ability in extremely tough weather conditions and the scale and complexity of rescue tasks. As the first step toward autonomous rescue, this project aims to solve open fundamental questions in maritime search and rescue by designing collaborative control algorithms between a group of USVs and UAVs by using data collected from onboard sensors.

• Study the data-based rapid identification method of landing landmarks to realize the intelligent environment perception of UAV's autonomous landing.
• A data-based optimization design framework is proposed to solve the problem of UAV-USV cooperative control.
• Develop data-driven optimization technology to solve the control problem of UAV and USV under uncertain conditions.

• Demonstrated research experience in the field of automation and engineering.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of the team.
• Demonstrated time and project management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to write research reports or other publications to a publishable standard (even if not published to date).