Creating 360° underwater virtual tours using an omnidirectional camera integrated in an AUV

The use of omnidirectional cameras underwater is enabling many new and exciting applications in multiple fields. Among these, the creation of virtual tours from omnidirectional image surveys is expected to have a large impact in terms of science and conservation outreach. These surveys can be performed by Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) that can cover large marine areas with precise navigation. Virtual tours are relevant in zones of special interest such as shipwrecks or underwater nature reserves for both scientists and the general public. This paper presents the first results of surveys carried out by an AUV equipped with an omnidirectional underwater camera, and explores the process of automatically creating virtual tours from the most relevant images of the datasets.