Review of Hybrid Aerial Underwater Vehicle: Potential Applications in the Field of Underwater Marine Optics

Hybrid Aerial Underwater Vehicle (HAUV) is a new type of unmanned system that can operate both in air and water, and complete underwater and air operations tasks by carrying corresponding sensors. Owing to this dual-medium operational capability, HAUVs hold significant promise for coordinated air–sea surveillance and monitoring efforts. Optical methods enable high-resolution sampling across both spatial and temporal scales, offering enhanced contextual information for the interpretation of discrete observational data. In order to evaluate the feasibility of ocean optical profiling systems based on HAUVs, this paper reviews the design features of current HAUV models and summarizes advanced techniques that support their cross-medium mobility. Subsequently, we summarized the types of commercial optical instruments commonly used for underwater observation and compared the field deployment methods. By analyzing the underwater motion performance of HAUVs and the requirements for optical observation platforms, we believe that multi-rotor HAUVs can provide new observation methods for future underwater optical acquisition due to their smooth entry and exit characteristics and the ability to maintain a controlled orientation during underwater operation. Finally, the paper explores prospective applications and outlines key obstacles to be overcome in the advancement of amphibious platforms for ocean optical profiling.