Wetlands monitoring: hints for innovative autonomous surface vehicles design

Wetlands are geographic areas where water meets the earth. They cover between 5% and 8% percent of the Earth’s surface including coastal areas, swamps rivers and lakes. They are essential ecosystems for human life. Various international conventions, directives and projects work on their protection that can help fighting the disasters resulting also from climate change. However, the acquisition and monitoring of environmental parameters in these areas is often difficult and ineffective. Classical vehicles (boats or wheeled vehicles) are not adequate in these areas and sometimes they are inaccessible or dangerous to human beings (critical or extreme environments). The development and the exploitation of innovative unmanned technologies can make surveys faster, more efficient and precise. Autonomous Surface Vehicles (ASVs) can work over extended periods of time and less staffing is required thanks to the high level of autonomy. In this paper, several technological solutions are explored and a modular and portable ASV with an innovative propulsion system suitable for working in shallow water is described.