Development of autonomous robot for real-time observation of velocity / discharge in flood rivers

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K12854
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Natural disaster / Disaster prevention science
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: Sanjou Michio 京都大学, 工学研究科, 准教授 (80362458)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 自動流速計測 / 自律制御ロボット / 自然河川

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Although real-time observation is required to manage properly natural rivers, convenience and reliable methods are still not established. The present study suggested an epoch-making automated system to measure the river flow velocity.
PID control could enable the boat-type robot to remain in position against the mainstream. This results in reasonable evaluation of the mean velocity by a rotation speed of the screw propeller. Reliable laboratory experiments with the prototype robot and electromagnetic velocimetry were conducted to obtain a calibration curve.We conducted not only in the laboratory flume but also in a natural river. The robot could move smoothly from the starting point near the operator’s site toward the target point where the velocity is measured, and it could evaluate the cross-sectional discharge. Further, developing PTZ camera system, we indicated possibility of use in 20-m width river.

Free Research Field

水理水工学