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Ocean Systems

Ocean Systems

Overview

The Ocean Systems Laboratory (OSL) is a leading international centre for research and development in subsea technology, involving over 30 academic, research and support staff. Its work spans a spectrum of advanced robotics and signal processing activities including design, modelling and control of:

Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicles (ROVs)
Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs)
Robot manipulator systems
Video and sonar data acquisition, fusion and processing (classification, mosaicing, metrology, visual servoing, 3D reconstruction)
Embedded systems design
Sonar modelling and design, esp synthetic aperture and chirp methods through water communication using acoustic and/or electromagnetic approaches
Multi-sensor navigation, including terrain based methods
Biomimetic propulsion
Dextrous robotic manipulaton
Model based fault detection and diagnosis in remote, unmanned systems
Interoperable simulation/hardware design for modelling and system integration
Telepresence research

Applications are in oil and gas exploration and production, marine science, (including environmental impact assessment), hydrographic survey, salvage and military roles. Recent projects have built the world�s first dextrous underwater robot hand, which will auto-dock the world�s first autonomous underwater vehicle with a manipulator to an underwater structure, in 1,000m of water. The team operates a small fleet of robot submersibles used for general scientific experimentation, software evaluation studies and for data acquisition. A mobile laboratory can be used in support of shore-based missions during field trials. Recently, the Forthbase Hydroacoustic test facility has been commissioned. Hydrophones permanently installed on the Forth Road Bridge can be used for acoustic emission monitoring and communication experiments over an ISDN line from the laboratory.

The laboratory enjoys international funding of several million pounds from blue chip companies, UK Government, the European Union, Ministry of Defence, and the US Office of Naval Research. It also collaborates regularly with marine scientists and oceanographers and the offshore industry around Europe and the world. Recent exchanges have seen students working at both MIT and Florida Atlantic University.

The laboratory has recently spun out SeeByte Ltd as its commercialisation partner. Opportunities exist for students interested in commercially relevant activities.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English, or your first degree was not taught in English, we�ll need to see evidence of your English language ability. The minimum requirement for English language is IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. We offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement prior to starting your masters programme: