This book provides exclusive insight into the development of a new generation of robotic underwater technologies. Deploying and using even the most simple and robust mechanical tools is presenting a challenge, and is often associated with an enormous amount of preparation, continuous monitoring, and maintenance. Therefore, all disciplinary aspects (e.g. system design, communication, machine learning, mapping and coordination, adaptive mission planning) are examined in detail and together this gives an extensive overview on research areas influencing next generation underwater robots. These robotic underwater systems will operate autonomously with the help of the most modern artificial intelligence procedures and perform environmental monitoring as well as inspection and maintenance of underwater structures. The systems are designed as modular and reconfigurable systems for long term autonomy to remain at the site for longer periods of time. New communication methods using AI enable missions of hybrid teams of humans and heterogeneous robots. Thus this volume will be an important reference for scientists on every qualification level in ​the field of underwater technologies, industrial maritime applications, and maritime science.

This book presents 34 original papers accepted for presentation at the 17th International Conference of the Catalan Association for Artificial Intelligence (CCIA 2014), held in October 2014 in Barcelona, Spain. The Catalan Association for Artificial Intelligence (ACIA), was created in 1994 as a non-profit association to promote cooperation among researchers from the Catalan-speaking artificial intelligence research community. Conferences are now held annually throughout the Catalan-speaking countries. The papers in this volume have been organized around different topics, providing a representative sample of the current state-of-the-art in the Catalan artificial intelligence community and of the collaboration between ACIA members and the worldwide AI community. The book will be of interest to all those working in the field of artificial intelligence.