In the experiments, the autonomous latching system showed good results when latching a couple of roboats in extreme turbulent environments with waves that tilt the roboats ±5 degrees in pitch and roll. In this difficult environment, the guiding system misses the target in its first attempt. However, it autonomously adapts by repositioning the roboat to retry and successfully latches to the floating roboat.
Long video with experiments indoors and outdoors ~3mins
Autonomous latching system tested indoors in MIT swimming pool and outdoors in Charles River one day with calm waters and the next day with turbulent waters.
Short video with only outdoor experiments on Charles river
Autonomous latching system tested outdoors in calm and turbulent waters. (In turbulent waters the video speed is 2X, no sound)