The issue of single range based observability analysis and observer design for the kinematics model of a 3D vehicle eventually subject to a constant unknown drift velocity is addressed. The proposed method departs from alternative solutions to the problem and leads to the definition of a linear time invariant state equation with a linear time varying output. Simple necessary and sufficient observability conditions are derived. The localization problem is finally solved using a novel outlier robust predictor -corrector state estimator. Numerical simulation examples are described to illustrate the performance of the method as compared to a standard Kalman filter.

The operation of a ROV requires significant off-shore dedicated manpower to handle and operate the robotic platform. In order to reduce the burden of operations, DexROV proposes to work out more cost effective and time efficient ROV operations, where manned support is in a large extent delocalized onshore (i.e. from a ROV control center), possibly at a large distance from the actual operations, relying on satellite communications. The proposed scheme makes provision for advanced dexterous manipulation capabilities, exploiting human expertise from a remote location when deemed useful. The outcomes of the project will be integrated and evaluated in a series of tests and evaluation campaigns, culminating with a realistic deep sea (1,300 meters) trial. After one year, the project specified the system architecture of the system and carried out preliminary technological trade-offs for the subsystems

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In this paper, we present DexROV, a funded EC Horizon 2020 project that proposes to implement novel operation strategies for underwater semi-autonomous interventions. These costly and demanding operations are more and more often performed by ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles), contributing to risks cutting for human divers. However ROV operations require offshore structures, hosted on a support vessel with a crew of a significant amount of personnel necessary to properly handle and operate the robotic platform. One of the key goals of DexROV is to delocalize on-shore the manned support as much as possible, reducing the crew onboard the support vessel and consequently the whole operation costs and risks. The Control Center is located onshore, far away from the actual operation location. Operators interact with the ROV through a simulation environment that exploit 3D models of the environment built online relying on the perception and modeling capabilities of the robotic system and transmitted via satellite communication. Currently ROVs lack the dexterous capabilities needed to perform many kind of operations, for which human divers are still necessary. DexROV addresses this problem, equipping the ROV with two 6 DoF (Degrees of Freedom) dexterous manipulators with anthropomorphic end-effectorsand providing semi-autonomous capabilities. The control will rely on a multi-task priority approach that will help the operator to focus on the main operation, leaving the low-level tasks to be autonomously performed by the ROV.

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