The significance of current growth of technology in the fields of robotics and
automation cannot be over-emphasized. Specifically, with the unprecedented
advancements in the field of underwater applied robotics and its tremendous utility in
numerous civic, military as well as scientific applications, it is widely expected that
societies abreast and compliant with such technologies are bound to prosper exceedingly
than those without it.
This presentation is aimed to cover modern global technology trends in the field of
underwater applied robotics, with a focus on research and indigenous development
aspects of various underwater robotic platforms, e.g. unmanned underwater vehicles
(UUVs), with respect to commercial applications like exploration of natural resources such
as oil and gas, geo-mapping of seafloor for building offshore subsea infrastructures,
scientific exploration of natural hydrothermal vents and other marine environment related
matters.
In addition, the presentation will cover military applications of underwater robotics
for seaport security and intrusion detection as well as detection and neutralization of
unwanted objects (such as explosive mines etc.), together with establishing a need to
carry out substantial research and development at a national level in this critical domain.
The presentation will conclude by highlighting various challenges as well as
opportunities for Pakistan’s industry and academia, putting it all in a perspective while
proposing a course to steer so as to effectively meet the national needs and necessities
of the present and the future.