Istanbul Technical University

Faculty of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering

ITU SEFINE MARINE ROBOTICS LAB

Research and engineering in maritime technology and robotics.

Since 2015 our lab has led maritime robotics with 50+ projects, 30+ peer-reviewed publications, and extensive experimental testing.

Maritime Robotics Autonomous

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Interactive demo

Autonomous navigation in the Bosphorus

Place waypoints, drop mines, and set the maximum rudder angle. The vessel plans a route around obstacles and follows it. As the rudder limit drops, the turning radius grows — and the manoeuvre may no longer fit the strait.

Mode: waypoint

Max rudder angle 30°

Ready — place a waypoint and get under way.

Turning radius0 m

Rudder0°

Cross-track error0 m

Speed0 kn

Route planning

The chart is treated as a grid where the shoreline and every mine are marked as blocked. An A* search finds the shortest safe corridor, then a smoothing pass removes needless turns. If no corridor exists, the vessel does not sail.

Manoeuvring limit

Turning radius follows R = L / tan δ, where L is hull length and δ the rudder angle. Halving the rudder angle roughly doubles the radius. The narrowest reach of the Bosphorus is about 700 m — once the radius exceeds that, the turn is physically impossible and the vessel runs aground.

Path following

A pure-pursuit controller looks a fixed distance ahead on the route and converts the bearing error into a rudder command. Cross-track error — the gap between planned and actual track — is the measure of how well the controller performs.

Why the Bosphorus

Sharp bends, a channel under a kilometre wide, dense traffic and a strong two-layer current make it one of the hardest waterways in the world for autonomous navigation.

The laboratory studies these problems through ship hydrodynamics, CFD, control design and experimental validation in the towing tank.

Istanbul Technical University Faculty of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering

Why ITU SEFINE Marine Robotics Lab?

Six key reasons why our research matters as maritime technologies advance towards an autonomous, intelligent and indigenous future.

Industry–University Collaboration

Applied research on real projects with strategic sector partners such as TPAO/TP-OTC. Work that goes beyond the academic — deployed, tested, and validated in the field.

Indigenous Technology Development

Türkiye's first indigenous Dynamic Positioning System was developed in this laboratory. Research that reduces dependence on imported technology and contributes to strategic independence.

Ready for an Autonomous Future

DP, navigation and control research — critical technology layers on the path to fully autonomous ship systems — the building blocks of tomorrow's maritime ecosystem.

Experimental + Numerical Integrity

CFD-based analyses and physical experiments at Ata Nutku Ship Model Laboratory are conducted together. Both numerical and experimental validation ensures reliable engineering outputs.

Multidisciplinary Research Team

A broad expertise spectrum spanning ship hydrodynamics, artificial intelligence, sensor fusion and embedded systems. An integrated research environment where disciplines converge.

Student-Centred Research

Undergraduate and graduate students apply theoretical knowledge to real engineering problems. Systems tested in the field provide an engineering experience that goes beyond the classroom.

From our work

ITU SEFINE Marine Robotics Lab - YouTube

www.youtube.com/@marineroboticslab

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Joined

July 26, 2019

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69+

Videos

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5.540+

DTC Second Basin Experiments

First video in series: [DTC Second Basin Experiments 1] Freerunning Test 1

Watch the full series

DC Motor Tests (Old)

First video in series: [Motor Test 1] DC Motor Control Using a Potentiometer

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Research Areas

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Dynamic Positioning System (DPS)

Indigenous DPS development for drilling, support and research vessels. Successfully validated on the PSV Sancar scale model in collaboration with TP-OTC.

DPS · DP · Indigenous Technology · TP-OTC

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Autonomous Marine Vehicles

Sensing, navigation control, energy management and decision algorithm research for USV and AUV class vehicles.

USV · AUV · Autonomous Navigation · Path Control

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Ship Hydrodynamics and Model Testing

Resistance tests, CFD validation, and efficient hull form research at the Ata Nutku Ship Model Test Laboratory.

Resistance · Model Testing · CFD · Hydrodynamics

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Latest News

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İstanbul Teknik Üniversitesi Marine Robotics Laboratuvarı ile Sefine Tersanesi Arasında Stratejik İş Birliği

İstanbul Teknik Üniversitesi Marine Robotics Laboratuvarı ile Sefine Tersanesi Arasında Stratejik İş Birliği Protokolu Hakkında Detaylı Bilgilendirme.

Sayın Rektörümüz Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal ITU SEFINE MARINE ROBOTICS LAB Ziyareti

Yat Marina Interview: Domestic DP Technology and Autonomous Navigation in the Maritime Sector

In an interview published by Yat Marina, the Deanship of the Faculty of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering at Istanbul Technical University highlighted the decisive role of indigenous Dynamic Positioning (DP) technologies and autonomous navigation systems in the Turkish maritime sector.

Latest Blog Posts

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Autonomous Marine Vehicles: The Beginning of a New Era in Maritime

Autonomous marine vehicles are rapidly gaining ground in the global maritime industry to enhance operational safety, reduce costs, and minimise human error. Türkiye holds significant potential in this field, both academically and industrially.

What is Dynamic Positioning (DP) and Why is it a Critical Technology?

Dynamic Positioning System enables a vessel to maintain its station and heading at sea using only its own thrusters, without deploying an anchor. With a wide range of applications spanning from drilling vessels to autonomous marine vehicles, DP has become an indispensable component of modern maritime infrastructure.

Ship Resistance and Model Tank Tests: The Scientific Foundation of Efficient Ship Design

One of the most critical inputs in ship design is the resistance force the vessel will encounter moving through water. Accurate determination of this value directly influences decisions ranging from fuel consumption and main engine selection to carbon footprint and operating costs.