Electro-Karst – REK

This projet proposes to develop new robotic systems to explore and map the geomorphology of karstic networks, where the underground water resource is. It follows previous research effort which demonstrated the necessity of addressing 2 main topics, that are included in the present proposal :

1) Conceive and develop a semi-autonomous underwater system, poly-articulated and equipped with thrusters, adapted to the unstructured and confined karstic environment

2) Implement on this system the technology of 'Electric Sense', which seems to be particularly well adapted to the karstic environment

3) Develop a new navigation system, of SLAM type, based on interval analysis, and dedicated to confined unstructured environment, and using acoustic sampling. The consideration of the electric sense measures in the SLAM algorithm will be decisive.


Three laboratories are associated in the present proposal : LIRMM (Montpellier) will handle the development of the robotic system, IMT Atlantique (Nantes) will have in charge the development of the Electric Sense and ENSTA Bretagne (Brest) will focus on the acoustic SLAM question.