Design of a Lateral-Line Sensor for an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

In an ongoing research project an autonomous underwater vehicle is to be built that will detect, localize, and avoid objects by means of a fully passive sensory system. Using hot-wire anemometry it measures local water velocities at the vehicle's hull and thus mimics the lateral-line system of fish and many amphibians. Fish often use the lateral-line system as their only means for navigation, especially under poor visual conditions. Simulations and theoretical calculations of the flow around an underwater vehicle show that velocity measurements with hot-wire anemometers enable an underwater vehicle to detect surfaces, so that no clear sight or active scanning is necessary for collision avoidance. A first series of experiments validates theoretical calculations and shows that a vehicle can detect parallel movement to a wall.