A Lightweight and Low-Cost Underwater Localization System Based on Visual–Inertial–Depth Fusion for Net-Cage Cleaning Robots

Net-cage aquaculture faces challenges from biofouling, which reduces water exchange and threatens structural integrity. Automated cleaning robots provide an alternative to human divers but require effective, low-cost localization. Conventional acoustic–inertial systems are expensive and complex, while vision-only or IMU-based methods suffer from drift in turbid, low-texture waters. This paper presents a lightweight Visual–Inertial–Depth (VID) fusion framework for underwater net-cage cleaning robots. Built on the VINS-Fusion system the method estimates scene scale using optical flow and stereo matching, and incorporates IMU pre-integration for high-frequency motion prediction. A pressure-based depth factor constrains Z-axis drift, and reflective-anchor initialization ensures global alignment. The system runs in real time on a Jetson Orin NX with ROS. Experiments in air, tank, pool, and ocean settings demonstrate its robustness. In controlled environments, the mean anchor coordinate error (ACE) was 0.05–0.16 m, and loop-closure drift (LCD) was ≤0.5 m per 5 m. In ocean trials, turbulence and biofouling led to drift (LCD 1.32 m over 16.05 m, 8.3%), but IMU and depth cues helped maintain vertical stability. The system delivers real-time, cost-effective localization in structured underwater cages and offers insights for improvements in dynamic marine conditions.