ABOUT LVNT
The Unmanned Vehicles Laboratory at the University of São Paulo (LVNT-USP) is dedicated to the research and development of remotely operated and autonomous vehicles, with a primary focus on operations in aquatic environments. In recent years, scientific research in this area has gained prominence, as these vehicles have been applied in oceanographic research, military operations, environmental monitoring, and pollution control, as well as other activities with technological and economic impact.
These vehicles can be classified according to how they carry out their missions. Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) operate independently underwater, without the need for direct human intervention. Remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs), on the other hand, also operate in a submerged environment but rely on an umbilical cable that transmits power and commands from an operator on the surface. Autonomous surface vehicles (USVs or ASVs), in turn, carry out their missions autonomously on the water’s surface.
At LVNT, in addition to the technological development of these vehicles and their onboard systems—including marine-grade electronics, software, sensors, and actuators—research is conducted in areas such as hydrodynamics, maneuverability, navigation, and AUV control, as well as advanced control techniques applied to ROVs. The laboratory is also dedicated to special projects in partnership with private companies and public institutions, reinforcing the strategic role of LVNT at the interface between science, engineering, and practical application.
In addition, the laboratory is part of the “Applied Geophysics, Mechatronics, and Engineering – GAME | USP” Multi-User Center, a facility that shares equipment and offers customized services to different sectors. To carry out these activities, the LVNT relies on a multidisciplinary team of engineers and technologists specialized in various areas of underwater technology, ensuring a high technical and scientific standard in its contributions.