Experimental Deployment and Recovery of an Underwater Robot from an Autonomous Surface Catamaran Using an Integrated LARS and Immersive Augmented Reality Teleoperation Interface

This video documents experimental robotic trials carried out at the Port of Castellón, Spain, on 18 May 2026. The demonstration presents a 3.5 m × 1.4 m catamaran-type surface robotic platform equipped with an integrated Launch and Recovery System (LARS) for the deployment and recovery of a BlueROV underwater vehicle. The experiment shows the complete operational sequence, including surface navigation, remote supervision, underwater robot deployment, intervention support, and final recovery of the BlueROV from the surface vessel. The system is operated through an immersive Augmented Reality interface, enabling remote monitoring and control of the robotic mission in a realistic port environment. The technological development was carried out by CIRTESU, the Research Center for Robotics and Underwater Technologies at Universitat Jaume I, and IRSLab, the Interactive Robotic Systems Lab. The work illustrates ongoing research on cooperative surface–underwater robotic systems, autonomous maritime operations, teleoperation, human–robot interfaces, and robotic technologies for inspection and intervention in marine and port environments.