Cartow

Cartow is a hypothetical interdisciplinary concept described in speculative literature and thought experiments about autonomous maritime systems. It denotes a framework for coordinating cartographic data collection with towing operations, using unmanned surface vessels (USVs) or remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) that map while towing sensors or payloads. The term is not standardized in professional practice and remains mainly theoretical.

Originating from a portmanteau of cartography and tow, the word signals the dual goals of mapping and towing.

Cartow envisions systems in which mapping sensors—multibeam sonar, cameras, LiDAR—are integrated with towable payloads to enable simultaneous data acquisition and vehicle movement. It covers single- or multi-vehicle configurations, real-time data fusion, trajectory planning, operational safety, and efficient data management. The concept emphasizes coordination between mapping objectives and towing constraints to maximize coverage and data quality.

Realization relies on localization and mapping algorithms, such as SLAM, robust sensor fusion, and cooperative control. Communication, power management, and failure handling are central design considerations in any cartow implementation.

Potential use cases include hydrographic surveys, environmental monitoring, underwater infrastructure inspection, search and rescue, and maritime archeology, where simultaneous mapping and payload deployment offer efficiency gains.

Key challenges include limited communication bandwidth, sensor interference, environmental noise, navigational drift, and energy constraints. There is ongoing debate about standardization and safety certification for hypothetical cartow systems.

Terms appeared in speculative writings in the early 2020s; cartow remains informal and not part of official maritime robotics standards.

See also: SLAM, unmanned surface vehicles, hydrographic surveying, maritime robotics.