Underwater Robotics

At Fraunhofer IOSB-AST, we combine underwater robotics and water management to develop comprehensive, data-driven solutions throughout the entire water cycle, from oceans to urban infrastructure. We increase efficiency, safety, and resilience by offering seaworthy robot systems, AI-based perception, digital twins, and optimised operating strategies. Our own test environments and many years of experience ensure a swift transition from research to practice.

In the field of underwater robotics, the Underwater Technologies department develops everything from individual components to complex, seaworthy systems. We design control and regulation algorithms for ROVs and AUVs for use in exploration, inspection, maintenance and manipulation tasks on underwater infrastructures.

Our research focuses on autonomous functions and AI-based sensor data evaluation for robust perception, navigation and mission planning. We offer access to pressure testing facilities, underwater laboratories, and various test environments for development and validation purposes. Our own underwater vehicles enable the testing and further development of components in use.

We provide support from prototype to product, offering expertise in software, hardware, and system integration. We also conduct scenario analyses of environmental conditions, actuators, sensors, and navigation, and provide advice on certification and standards. Our marine technology expertise is represented in the Smart Ocean Technologies (SOT) research group in Rostock.

In water management, we cover the entire cycle, from water extraction and treatment to distribution and wastewater reuse. Our work involves analysing existing systems and developing digital twins for online and offline operation, as well as customised software solutions for operational management, forecasting and leak detection. We also use model-based simulation and AI methods to reduce costs, ensure operational safety and optimise pumps. Our solutions are fully integrated into local control technology, and our workshops and over 25 years of project experience ensure they are transferred into practice.

Against the backdrop of climate change, our research focuses on warning systems for flash floods and the resilience of water supply systems. We combine underwater robotics and water system technology to create integrated, data-driven solutions, ranging from marine ecosystems to urban water infrastructure.