Abu Dhabi: Khalifa University of Science and Technology has inaugurated the Marine Studies and Research Lab in collaboration with Khalifa University’s Center for Autonomous Robotic Systems (KUCARS) and Stanford University.
The collaboration was part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed by Professor Sir John O’Reilly, President of Khalifa University, and Professor Oussama Khatib, Director of the Stanford Robotics Laboratory (SRL), in the Computer Science Department at Stanford University.
The region’s first-ever advanced robotics research facility, equipped with wave and stream generation facilities, is aimed at exploring the use of marine robotics for sustainable ocean ecosystems, including removing plastics to curb pollution.
Khalifa University’s Marine Robotics Lab, one of the most important research facilities and the first-of-its-kind in the region, will develop marine studies and research in the UAE and the region. The new facility enhances the UAE’s research capabilities and places it at the forefront of countries in research and development in this field.
Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice President of Khalifa University, shared.
Professor Lakmal Seneviratne, Director of KUCARS, commented that “our researchers are already developing autonomous robots for various land, air and marine applications. Recently, KUCARS researchers have applied for patents on five innovative robotics solutions for these applications.”
The lab allows the testing of robots in a controlled environment that simulates the adverse underwater environmental conditions of the sea.
The Marine Robotics Pool will allow extensive and controlled testing of marine robotic vehicles, including underwater, surface, autonomous, or remotely teleoperated devices. Potential applications of marine robots include underwater cleaning of plastics, coral reef inspection, and critical infrastructure inspection.