Cooperative Robotic Watercraft

Small, autonomous watercraft are an ideal approach to flood mitigation and response. Relative to other types of vehicles, watercraft are inexpensive, simple, robust and reliable. Specifically, we are developing low cost airboats that are flat-bottomed boats that use an above-water fan to propel themselves forward safely and effectively through shallow or debris-filled water. The vision is to have large numbers of very inexpensive airboats provide situational awareness and deliver critical emergency supplies to victims.