The two main objectives of this project are: i) To create an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) able to contact and to be operated directly with end users; ii) To use this (AUV) in order to inspect shallow water hydrothermal vents in D. João de Castro Bank (Azores) for geological and biological determinations. The methodology includes the development of an Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV) that will operate with the AUV as a mobile relay for fast communication purposes. The extension of the shallow water vents will be detected with video and sonar apparatus. The community analysis will be made with video and photograph analysis. All this equipment is built in the AUV
