The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism announced in June this year that it had formulated and published guidelines for the safe operation of AUVs (Autonomous Unmanned Underwater Vehicles). As a result, it is expected that the utilization of autonomous mobile vehicles in water will progress.
As shown above, an Unmanned Maritime Vehicle (UMV) is an "Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV)" that can dive underwater and an underwater vehicle (UUV). First of all, it is roughly divided into "Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV)" that navigates.
"Unmanned submersibles" that can dive underwater are (1) a towed type (Tow Fish) that is towed by a mother ship, (2) a "remotely controlled type" that is operated from a mother ship or a base station, and (3) an "autonomous vehicle" that does not require remote control. type”. The remote control type is generally called "ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle)". Currently, most of what is generally called "underwater drone" is this ROV type.
Unmanned seaplanes (USVs) are also divided into remote ROSVs and autonomous ASVs, just like UUVs. ASVs navigate on the surface of the water and are generally used as relay stations for communication between AUVs and motherships or land base stations. Therefore, it is required to navigate while tracking the AUV. This unmanned seaplane can be operated remotely, but many autonomous types have also been developed.
![Vol.48 Underwater Drone Guidelines[ Hisanori Sunohara's Drone Trend Watching]](https://website-google-hk.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com/drawing/article_results_9/2022/3/9/465542e4544213419c8b78f1a77975e1_2.jpeg "Vol.48 Guidelines for Underwater Drones [Hisunori Sunohara's Drone Trend Watching]")
This guideline shows the AUV in this definition, and does not show the so-called ROV guidelines in the world, but it is also written in this guideline, but it can be used as a reference for ROV There are many things to do.
This guideline summarizes safety requirements, etc. that serve as measures to reduce risks when operating AUVs in offshore wind power generation and oil and gas development. In that sense, it is a safe operation in the most difficult and hurdle phase.
In addition, items such as autonomous control system, navigation system, power supply system, steering control system, observation system, structure, stability, loading/unloading system, anti-collision system, and shipboard equipment are described. .
And each procedure is inspected on land (Advance check items), onboard inspection (before leaving the shore), onboard inspection (check items before diving), when launching, during diving, and in an emergency.
It is clear that quite a few laws and ordinances are related, but by making a proper list in this way first, we can look over the overlapping parts and It will help the movement to simplify with a skewer. In addition, the inclusion of relevant domestic regulations regarding export controls serves as a good guideline when developing AUVs and deploying them overseas.
With these very specific and carefully made guidelines, offshore wind power generation This will lead to efficient and safe utilization of AUVs, which are increasingly being used commercially for facility maintenance, etc. (also used to ensure the safety of AUVs when signing insurance contracts). It contributes to the promotion of development.
Although this is an AUV guideline, it is also applicable to various drones (autonomous mobile bodies) in other areas (aerial drones, so-called drones, autonomous rovers, and autonomous boats). By creating specific and careful guidelines from such a perspective, practical application will progress in each area and industry field.
Of course, those involved in underwater drones, but I would like other people involved in drones to read it.