Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics Research IGDBase2Swarm is developing hardware and software for a rapidly deployable acoustic underwater network that digitally connects different types of marine vehicles and robotic agents, including autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs), and gliders. At its core are three stationary nodes—one base node and two secondary nodes—equipped with EvoLogics modems. The base node also provides a docking station for high-speed data transfer and inductive charging. The secondary nodes collect environmental data, while the network transmits information to shore. Deployment and recovery are carried out flexibly by ROV at depths of up to 1,000 meters, with positioning performed by an ASV. Three application scenarios demonstrate system operation, environmental monitoring, and early-warning capabilities.
Base2Swarm is creating a modular, reusable network platform for underwater robotics. The system is acoustically networked, can be rapidly deployed and recovered by ROV, and provides an additional docking function for high-speed data transfer and inductive charging. Heterogeneous vehicles cooperate on a mission-specific basis—even beyond the boundaries of the network—and reliably transmit environmental and status data to shore. This makes ad hoc operations, early-warning systems for critical infrastructure, and efficient environmental monitoring viable in real-world applications.
