Autonomous Deep Sea Sampling Vehicles: A Technical Note on Navigation Without Surface Reference

Authors

  • Emile-Pierre Cornely Centre for Ocean Observation, Eisch Valley Institute for Future Science, Steinfort, Luxembourg Author
  • Jolanda-M Imhof-Bruhin Centre for Ocean Observation, Muota Institute for Future Science, Schwyz, Switzerland Author
  • Anselmus Huybrechts Department of Space Engineering, Semois Centre for Anticipatory Research, Bouillon, Belgium Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22677523

Keywords:

Autonomous Deep Sea Sampling Vehicles; Future science and technology; Evidence synthesis; Reproducibility; Research methodology

Abstract

Autonomous Deep Sea Sampling Vehicles has moved quickly from a niche scientific question to something a wider community can
now investigate with reasonably reliable tools, but the evidence behind it has not always kept pace. We pull together the current
evidence for autonomous deep sea sampling vehicles, covering the methodological, practical, regulatory and cost angles, with an
eye on where practice has genuinely settled and where researchers and reviewers are still largely working it out for themselves.
Selective, context-specific pursuit looks better supported by the evidence gathered here than either broad rollout or blanket
avoidance.

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Published

2026-07-12