Session: 12-04-01 Blue Economy IV

Submission Number: 156976

Engineering a Swarm of Autonomous Sailboats: Design, Controls and Power Systems 

We present the design, fabrication, and control of a small, autonomous, self-powered sailboat engineered for deployment in swarms to perform distributed measurements of various parameters like salinity, temperature at different water depths, pressure, humidity, waveheight and multiple more across large bodies of water. These units are designed to be low-cost yet robust, capable of withstanding strong waves and storm conditions (type 2 hurricanes). Each sailboat is self-powered to enable extended periods of operation, through three energy modalities: solar, wind, and wave energy. Solar panels are integrated into the sail and hull, with additional consideration given to installing solar arrays on the keel for optimized energy capture. A small hydrogenerator on the keel converts the boat’s motion, driven by wind, into electricity, while also functioning as a reversible propeller for propulsion in the absence of wind. Additionally, a pendulum based wave energy capture device embedded in the keel leverages the boat's movement in wavy conditions to generate power, simultaneously enhancing stability. Multiple drones in the water body equipped with radio frequency (RF) communication capabilities will act as individual nodes to form the mesh network to allow seamless transmission of collected data to the land, eliminating the need of satellites. This system also allows for the transmission of commands to individual units regarding location and performance. The units will be equipped with advanced navigation systems and AI-driven algorithms, enabling the drones to sail entirely using wind power to reach any specified GPS coordinates. This approach minimizes electrical power usage, allowing the drones to operate autonomously in the ocean for several weeks. Onboard electronics support up to 16 sensors, enabling high-resolution, real-time environmental measurements. By combining durability, efficient power generation, and sophisticated communication systems, this platform offers a scalable solution for distributed sensing in marine environments, which does not exist as of now.

Presenting Author: Reza Alam University of California, Berkeley

Presenting Author Biography: Dr. Reza Alam is a professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley.