Development of seafloor geodetic observation system based on AUV and submarine cable technologies

Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo (IIS) has launched a five-year long project to develop next-generation seafloor geodetic observation system in 2005. Principal idea of the observation system is to utilize AUV, seafloor platform and submarine cable in place of using a research vessel and a stand-alone type seafloor benchmark transponder. This observation system aims at promoting efficiency of the observation for maintaining the observation system over a long period in response to geodetic events that have long time scales. Trial model of the surface system that should be installed on an AUV observation platform was finished. And then, based on this technological development, we have just started to develop the AUV specially design for seafloor geodetic observation. The seafloor transponder was also finished and installed on the existing submarine cable system. We are in the final stage of the development of the new observation system for seafloor geodesy.