The workshop on Maritime Heterogeneous Unmanned Robotic Systems (MHURS) seeks to explore the integration of advanced technologies in the maritime domain with robotics. MHURS comprises unmanned surface vessels (USVs), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), underwater autonomous vehicles (AUVs) and manipulators, offering immense potential to revolutionize maritime operations while minimizing environmental impact.
With sustainability as a guiding principle, the workshop will examine how MHURS can contribute to achieving eco-friendly maritime practices, including environmental conservation, resource efficiency, and carbon emissions inspection, while also considering the implications of replacing human workers with unmanned systems. The objectives of the workshop are threefold: to provide an overview of the latest advancements and applications of MHURS technologies, including collaborative autonomy, sensor fusion, communication protocols, energy management, and regulatory frameworks; to discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with integrating MHURS into real-world scenarios, such as environmental monitoring, maritime security, search and rescue operations, and offshore energy exploration; and to facilitate networking and collaboration among participants, enabling the identification of research avenues, state estimation and behavior decision to accelerate the adoption of MHURS technologies for sustainable maritime operations.
By attending this workshop, participants will gain insights into the state-of-the-art in MHURS technologies and their role in promoting sustainable practices while addressing the human labor replacement challenge. The workshop outcomes will contribute to advancing MHURS technologies, informing policy discussions, and inspiring new research directions, ultimately shaping the future of sustainable and socially responsible maritime operations.