MENG Fangui1, LIU Aimin1, HU Yan1, WANG Yuchen1, QIAO Lukuan1, ZHANG Hongkui1, 2
Journal of Vibration and Shock.
2025, 44(11):
321-338.
Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are widely used in various fields such as hydrological monitoring, underwater exploration, and patrol reconnaissance, due to their mobility, robustness, and extensive operational range. To ensure the safe and efficient completion of various tasks, the research on motion control technology for AUVs is of paramount importance. This paper provides a chronological overview of the development of AUVs, focusing on typical products both domestically and internationally, with an emphasis on motion control technologies. Additionally, it presents the "Sheng Whale I" AUV developed by the team, along with its motion control technology. Based on the current state of AUV motion control research, strategies can be classified into path tracking, trajectory tracking, and stabilization control. Research in this field primarily focuses on the design of guidance schemes and the optimization of controllers. The main challenges affecting AUV motion control systems include model uncertainties, external disturbances, and actuator saturation. To address these challenges, intelligent control techniques such as deep reinforcement learning, sliding mode control, active disturbance rejection control, neural networks, adaptive control, S-plane control, and fuzzy control have been widely applied. These methods effectively mitigate the impact of changes in the AUV's dynamic model, as well as environmental disturbances like waves and ocean currents, on tracking accuracy. For actuator saturation issues, model predictive control, deep reinforcement learning, and sliding mode control have shown particularly promising results. Existing research indicates that information-based AUVs are numerous, and the motion control systems of AUVs demonstrate significant advantages in terms of accuracy and robustness. Future developments in AUVs will focus on long-range vehicles powered by renewable energy and multi-mode AUVs equipped with autonomous maneuvering capabilities. Additionally, the trend in AUV motion control will shift towards low-power motion control and swarm motion control.