From Simulation To Sea: Adaptive Structuration of Ai-Enabled Unmanned Surface Vehicles For Sustainable Environmental Monitoring

The growing demand for sustainable environmental monitoring highlights the role of Information Systems (IS) in integrating cyber-physical devices into organizational decision-making. Wind-powered robotic sailboats can be conceptualized as AI-enabled cyber-physical information infrastructures, yet most research remains confined to simulation, offering limited insight into how such systems stabilize in real-world operation. Grounded in Adaptive Structuration Theory (AST), this study analyzes the longitudinal evolution of a robotic sailboat over five years of missions in Omitted Bay. Building on a prior engineering-oriented report[Omitted], we reconceptualize the system as a socio-technical information infrastructure and examine how standardized operational procedures support the sim2real transition. Results indicate a 75% reduction in preparation time and fewer mission failures, alongside improvements in operational safety, reliability, and organizational learning. The study contributes empirical evidence to IS discussions on cyber-physical systems and digital infrastructures for sustainable environmental monitoring aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.