Abstract
Due to the rising global population, a substantial increase in fish production is expected over the next few decades. Unfortunately, global fisheries only can increase output by 14-17%, primarily by reducing pressure on overfished stocks and increasing pressure on the underexploited. Within these fisheries, dissolved oxygen (DO) monitoring is a practice that is essential to fish health. In addition, it can be used to increase the yield of fish crops; however, monitoring DO is labor-intensive, expensive, and time-consuming.
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University have developed a dissolved oxygen-sensing platform called the Hybrid Aerial Underwater robotiCs System (HAUCS). It comprises a DO sensor that is held and stabilized on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) via a robotic, self-folding extension that submerges the sensor into the water. The system is capable of measuring environmental parameters at multiple locations and depths, is immune from biofouling and is scalable to accommodate operations of different sizes. The inventors have created a prototype of the system and demonstrated proof of concept in a pond.
FAU seeks partners to advance this technology into the marketplace through licensing or development partnerships.
Benefit
Scalable - Integration into UAVs, land vehicles and boatsExpanded Coverage - Monitors large areas and multiple water sources compared to buoysIncreased Yield - Improves the water quality of fish cropsMarket Application
Evaluating lake and pond conditionsMonitoring fish cropsMilitary (submarine detection)Reef and oceanic researchPublications
Evolution of the Hybrid Aerial Underwater Robotic System (HAUCS) for Aquaculture: Sensor Payload and Extension Development
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