AUV for Search, Detection and Automated Identification – DOLFIA

In response to the need for improved techniques in underwater exploration and monitoring, the DOLFIA project aims to develop a demonstrator consisting of autonomous mini underwater drones (AUV - Autonomous Underwater Vehicle) equipped with innovative automatic detection and identification systems. These drones have been designed to operate in a swarm, working together to accomplish their missions.

One of the key objectives of this project is large-scale mapping, detection, and classification. This task will be carried out by 6 micro-AUVs, which can be launched and retrieved using lightweight means, such as a Zodiac for example.

The first four AUVs equipped with a side-scan sonar will operate in a swarm to scan the seabed over large areas. Following this initial exploration, the data is analyzed in software to be developed (named VELIA), allowing for the rapid identification and classification of human-made objects or state differentials compared to a previous measurement.

An AUV equipped with a high-definition camera and a powerful 30,000-lumen lighting, as well as an AUV with a magnetometer, then proceed to conduct a detailed exploration of the area identified by VELIA, from multiple angles. Their role complements that of the swarm of side-scan drones, with each contributing to a more comprehensive overall image of the studied underwater area.

All 6 AUVs will be equipped with an inertial navigation system, a Doppler Velocity Log (DVL), and an Ultra Short Base Line (USBL). Another major objective is the development of the real-time analysis software VELIA. Designed with advanced capabilities, VELIA real-time aims to significantly improve the processing of acoustic and video images in real time. Both VELIA and VELIA real-time will have machine learning capabilities, allowing for the automatic identification of different objects or variations in the collected data, providing unprecedented accuracy and speed in detection and identification. One envisioned use is the tracking of linear objects such as pipelines or undersea cables.

The combination of these advanced micro-AUVs and the VELIA program presents unprecedented opportunities for underwater research and exploration. The AUVs are remarkably small for their operational capacity, weighing only 10kg and measuring 1 meter in length, with an autonomy of 10 hours and an operating capacity of up to 300 meters depth. Their launch and retrieval do not require heavy, complex, and costly equipment. The democratization of AUV usage also requires a radical change in the price of these equipments. The DOLFIA project will make it possible to offer equipment at costs below 100 K€, which is four times lower than current technologies.

In summary, the DOLFIA project represents a significant advancement in the field of underwater surveillance, with its drones whose automatic detection and identification technology redefines the standards of reconnaissance missions, contributing to a significant improvement in the efficiency of field teams.