We are proud to share that a comprehensive paper presenting our MBZIRC competition system has been published in the IEEE Robotics and Automation Magazine (RAM), one of the leading magazines in the field of robotics.
The article, titled “Heterogeneous Multirobot Team: Maritime Inspection and Intervention in Global Navigation Satellite System-Denied Scenarios”, was led by Barbara Arbanas Ferreira (MARBLE)
The paper presents a complete overview of the heterogeneous multirobot system developed for maritime inspection and intervention tasks in GNSS-denied environments. The system combines UAVs and autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs) in a coordinated marsupial setup, leveraging the complementary strengths of each platform.
The work integrates advanced sensor fusion, localisation, mission planning and communication strategies to enable seamless cooperation between aerial and surface robots. The system was designed to efficiently locate, retrieve and transport objects from a target vessel in adverse maritime conditions. The experimental analysis demonstrates the robustness and real-world readiness of the ASV–UAV team in complex maritime operations where traditional navigation systems are unavailable.
Congratulations to Barbara and the entire LARICS team on this international recognition!