Development and Design of a Compact Autonomous Underwater Vehicle: Zeno AUV

The paper describes the electromechanical design of a compact, light-weight Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) for archaeological applications; the vehicle is named Zeno (Zeno Environment Nautical Operator), protector of freshwater and flood victims, and was developed in the framework of the European project ARCHEOSUb; the AUV specifications, its navigation devices and payload are given. The main characteristics of the vehicle are described with particular attention to its system architecture, propulsion system and structural design. Zeno AUV is currently under assembly and its first tests are scheduled for Summer 2018.