Using Autonomous Systems for Coastal and Estuarine Research

Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at 12:30pm to 1:30pm

SMAST East 101-103 : 836 S. Rodney French Boulevard, New Bedford MA 02744
Callie Rumbut
c.rumbut@umassd.edu
https://umassd.zoom.us/j/97440069270

Seminar Announcement
Department of Estuarine and Ocean Sciences

"Using Autonomous Systems for Coastal and Estuarine Research"
Dr. Miles Sundermeyer
Professor, Estuarine and Ocean Sciences, UMass Dartmouth

Wednesday, October 14, 2026
12:30 - 1:30 pm
SMAST E 101-103 and via Zoom

Abstract:

Over the past 20+ years, the use of autonomous systems has become well established and widespread across all sub-disciplines of oceanography. This presentation will highlight a few such autonomous systems that are currently being employed by the Ocean Mixing & Stirring Autonomous Vehicles Lab at SMAST, including long endurance (month-long) ocean gliders; a high payload capacity uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV); and a pod of compact, low-cost micro-uncrewed underwater vehicles (micro UUVs).  Multiple example applications will be highlighted, including offshore surveys of hydrographic, biological and optical properties across the continental shelf during Atlantic hurricane season, elevation surveys assessing the progress of a local salt marsh restoration project; and assessment of hydrography and water quality within local estuarine systems.  A recent analysis of the capabilities of the Jaia Robotics, Inc micro UUV for use in estuarine environments will be presented in detail, along with a preview of multiple projects currently in progress within the Ocean Mixing & Stirring and Coastal Systems Program research groups at SMAST.

Join Meeting
https://umassd.zoom.us/j/97440069270
Note: Meeting ID and passcode required, email contact to obtain.

For additional information, please contact Callie Rumbut at c.rumbut@umassd.edu