Abstract
This paper presents the work performed in the implementation of an underwater simulation environment for the development of an autonomous underwater vehicle for the exploration of flooded underground tunnels. In particular, the implementation of a laser based structured light system, multibeam sonar and other robot details were addressed. The simulation was used as a relevant tool in order to study and specify the robot multiple sensors characteristics and placement in order to adequately survey a realistic environment. A detailed description of the research and development work is presented along with the analysis of obtained results and the benefits this work brings to the project. © 2017 IEEE.

Abstract
This paper describes the calibration of an underwater navigation system in enclosed scenarios. The work was performed in the context of the VAMOS project addressing the development of robotic solutions for flooded open pit mine exploration. An algorithm for calibration of extrinsic parameters for DVL and USBL systems is presented. Field experiments were performed with the ROAZ autonomous surface vehicle equipped with the underwater sensors and using precision IMU/GNSS fused data as groundtruth. The tests were performed in Douro River and in the Bejanca open pit mine, one of the VAMOS test sites, both in northern Portugal. The procedure was validated in the operational scenarios and results are presented showing the error correction and navigation quality improvement.

Abstract
The planning of mining operations in water filled open-pit mines requires detailed bathymetry to create a mine plan and assess the involved risks. This paper presents post processing techniques for creating an improved 3D model from a survey carried out using an autonomous surface vehicle with a multibeam sonar and a GPS/INS navigation system. Inconsistencies of the created point cloud as a result of calibration errors or GPS signal loss are corrected using a continuous-time simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) solution. Signed distance function (SDF) based mapping is employed to fuse the measurements from multiple runs into a consistent representation and reduce sensor noise. From the signed distance function model we reconstruct a 3D surface mesh. We use this terrain model to establish a virtual reality scene for immersive data visualization of the mining operations for testing and planing during development. Results of the proposed approach are demonstrated on a dataset captured in an abandoned submerged inland mine.

Abstract
This paper addresses the topic of target detection and tracking using a team of UAVs for maritime border surveillance. We present a novel method on how to integrate the perception into the control loop using two distinct teams of UAVs that are cooperatively tracking the same target. We demonstrate and evaluate the effectiveness of our approach in a simulation environment.

Abstract
The multirotor UAVs are being integrated into a wide range of application scenarios due to maneuverability in 3D, versatility and reasonable payload of sensors. One of the application scenarios is the inspection of structures where the human intervention is difficult or unsafe and the UAV can provide an improvement of the collected data. At the same time introduce challenges due to low altitude missions and also the fact of being manually operated without line of sight. In order to overcome these issues, this paper presents a LiDAR-based realtime collision avoidance algorithm, denoted by Escape Elliptical Search Point with the ability to be integrated into autonomous and manned modes of operation. The algorithm was validated in a simulation environment developed in Gazebo and also in a mixed environment composed by a real robot in an outdoor scenario and simulated obstacle and LiDAR.

Abstract
The fish farming industry is becoming widespread all over the world. By 2039 most of the fish we eat will come from the fish farming industry. In this work, we propose an autonomous robotic solution for indoor fish farming biomass estimation. Our proposed system moves silently on top of the tank borders using differential wheels and a structured light vision system (SLS). The SLS system is composed by a camera and two line lasers (projectors) equipped with a line beam that allows to obtain the fish depth profile present in the tank to perform biomass estimation. Results in laboratory and in real aquaculture environment with live fish are presented.