Collision Detection for Underwater ROV Manipulator Systems

Work-class ROVs equipped with robotic manipulators are extensively used for subsea intervention operations. Manipulators are teleoperated by human pilots relying on visual feedback from the worksite. Operating in a remote environment, with limited pilot perception and poor visibility, manipulator co...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Satja Sivčev, Matija Rossi, Joseph Coleman, Edin Omerdić, Gerard Dooly, Daniel Toal
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2018-04-01
Series:Sensors
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/18/4/1117
Description
Summary:Work-class ROVs equipped with robotic manipulators are extensively used for subsea intervention operations. Manipulators are teleoperated by human pilots relying on visual feedback from the worksite. Operating in a remote environment, with limited pilot perception and poor visibility, manipulator collisions which may cause significant damage are likely to happen. This paper presents a real-time collision detection algorithm for marine robotic manipulation. The proposed collision detection mechanism is developed, integrated into a commercial ROV manipulator control system, and successfully evaluated in simulations and experimental setup using a real industry standard underwater manipulator. The presented collision sensing solution has a potential to be a useful pilot assisting tool that can reduce the task load, operational time, and costs of subsea inspection, repair, and maintenance operations.
ISSN:1424-8220