Water Robotics Workshop focuses on needs of maritime industry

GALVESTON – A recent Water Robotics Workshop brought robotic developers, researchers, robotics companies and users together to explore current and potential applications of marine robotics. The May event was sponsored by the TEEX Product Development Center and hosted at the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service – Center for Marine Training & Safety (CMTS) in Galveston.

OceanServer Technology and Seabotix Technology presented an overview of their respective technologies for underwater exploration and provided demonstrations in Offatts Bayou adjacent to CMTS.

Speakers included Dr. Robin Murphy, Director of the Center for Robot-Assisted Search and Rescue (CRASAR) at Texas A&M University; Dr. Joan Mileski of Texas A&M University at Galveston; and Dr. Dugan Um of the UAV Test Site at Texas A&M University — Corpus Christi.

“The purpose of the workshop was to bring together private robotic developers and resources within The Texas A&M University System to showcase uses for the maritime industry, as well as to highlight current training and active research on marine robotics,” said TEEX Product Development Center Manager Caleb Holt.

“We made strides in determining the next steps in terms of research, customization or modification, and training that will allow us to deploy robotics in the maritime industry.”