The development of autonomous vessels and unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) has generated great interest in the scientific community due to their potential and advantages for use in various environments and applications. Several literature review papers have been produced from different perspectives, contributing to a better understanding of the topic and to the analysis of advances, challenges, and trends. We hypothesize that the greatest attention has been focused on the development of high-impact applications in the maritime sector. Additionally, we depart from the need to investigate the potential and advances of USVs in fluvial environments, which involve particular operating conditions, where there are different socio-environmental conditions and restrictions in terms of access to conventional energy sources and communication systems. In this sense, the main objective of this work is to study USVs in the particular context of small craft. The search for records was conducted in Scopus and Web of Science databases, covering studies published from 2000 to 16 May 2024. The methodology employed was based on the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, which is a widely recognized protocol that ensures quality and rigor in systematic reviews and bibliometric analyses. To optimize the data collection and selection process, the semaphore technique was additionally implemented, allowing for an efficient categorization of the studies found. This combined methodological approach facilitated a systematic and transparent evaluation of the literature. This study was developed based on three research questions about the evolution of research topics, areas of application, and types of algorithms related to USVs. The study of the evolution of works on USVs was carried out based on the results of the meta-analysis generated with the Bibliometrix tool. The study of applications and developments was carried out based on information obtained from the papers for six study categories: application environment, level of autonomy, application area, algorithm typology, methods, and electronic devices used. For each of the 387 papers identified in the databases, labeling was performed for the 359 screened papers with six study categories according to the availability of information in the title and In the categories application sector, autonomy level, application area and algorithm type/task, it was identified that most studies are oriented toward the maritime sector, the developments to achieve full autonomy for USVs, the development of designs or algorithms at the modeling and simulation level, and the development and implementation of algorithms for the GNC subsystems. Nevertheless, this research has revealed a much wider range of environments and applications beyond maritime, military, and commercial sectors. In addition, from the mapping of the types of algorithms used in the GNC architecture, the study provides information that can be used to guide the design of the subsystems that enable USV autonomy for civilian use in restricted environments.

Eco-innovation (EI) as a conceptual approach has gained significant momentum in the transition of the manufacturing sector towards sustainability. This paper aims to contribute to the study of the research landscape on EI in the manufacturing industry by applying a bibliometric methodology and identifying prevailing trends and concepts used in academic literature. For this purpose, search engines such as Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) were utilized, along with analytical tools such as Bibliometrix, Microsoft Excel, and Gephi. The search was conducted using equations constructed from keywords deemed relevant to the objective, and the records obtained from the databases were consolidated into a single repository for joint analysis using the RStudio platform. The findings revealed an increase in scientific production from 2010 onwards. The analysis identified that the most influential authors, affiliations, and documents primarily originate from Spain, Germany, and China. The key concepts identified are the circular economy, eco-design, and green technologies, which provide a holistic framework for improving efficiency, reducing waste, and mitigating environmental impacts. EI promotes close collaboration between industries to reduce the ecological footprint. Nonetheless, there is a notable gap in research about EI in the shipbuilding industry, necessitating further exploration in the sector. This study lays a foundation for future investigations in this evolving domain.

The development of autonomous and unmanned vessels has become a central focus of maritime research and innovation. The literature includes various studies related to the subsystems and algorithms for the autonomous operation of vessels. However, discussions surrounding the regulatory and normative framework appear to lag behind technological progress. Despite this, the debate cannot be considered null. Some authors have analyzed the operation of autonomous surface vessels (ASVs) and unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) considering the current regulatory framework. There are also reflections on the role of the human component and on the interaction with conventional vessels. On the other hand, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and different entities have included the topic on their agendas, for which they have activated different mechanisms and scenarios for the development of the debate. Against this backdrop, this paper examines the regulatory and normative framework of the operation of autonomous vessels, trying to identify some of the facets that make up the current debate. The entry into operation of vessels in real-world contexts will be a reality soon and points of convergence between the technological aspect and the social component must emerge. Considering the potential impacts and advantages of integrating new technologies with conventional ones, it is expected that the social debate will develop in such a way that the regulations are timely and appropriate.