Review of Autonomous Undersea Vehicle (AUV) Developments 
WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION 
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is dedicated to research and higher education at the 
frontiers of ocean science. Its primary mission is to develop and effectively communicate a 
fundamental understanding of the processes and characteristics governing how the oceans 
function and how they interact with Earth as a whole. Two key AUV developments at Woods 
Hole Oceanographic Institution are the Remote Environmental Monitoring Units (REMUS) and 
the Autonomous Benthic Explorer (ABE). 
REMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING UNITS (REMUS) [37] 
REMUS, or Remote Environmental Monitoring Units, is a low-cost AUV developed by the 
Oceanographic Systems Laboratory for coastal monitoring and multiple vehicle survey 
operations. 
As described in table 9, the current vehicle is 53 inches long with a body diameter of 7.5 inches, 
although the length may be increased to support any reasonable payload. Weighing only 68 
pounds in air, REMUS (figure 21) is neutrally buoyant in water and is powered by sealed lead 
acid batteries. The vehicle can be operated in fresh or salt water. Because REMUS is so small, 
it can be easily transported by compact car, is air shippable as baggage, and may be launched 
and recovered from a small vessel; special handling equipment is not required. 
Figure 21. REMUS 
48 
