Background Information

The MATE ROV competition gives teams a chance to simulate an underwater environment and exploit the problems that often occur in these settings. The multiple tasks provided by the compeition parallel the tasks a professional in remotely operated vehicles would have to perform in a real life situation. The MATE ROV competition requires each team to design and construct an ROV to complete the following tasks: collect samples of a crustacean species, resurrect "Hugo", sample a new vent site, and collect a sample of a bacteria mat. The team goal of this competition is to complete the tasks in the fastest time possible, while utilizing a mechanical claw, camera, hydrophone, and propulsion system to maneveur the ROV through the testing site. The team will be comprised of three members that each specialize in a different component of the vehicle, which include the propulsion, hull, and mechanical claw. My area of specialization is the mechanical claw, which will be used to collect the various samples and resurrect "Hugo". ROVs are useful tools because they allow humans to complete tasks environments that they normally could not on their own.




MATE ROV Competition

Hydrophone commonly found in all types of ROVS

 



Camera lenses are essential for vision underwater



Mechanical claw found in larger ROVS

 



  


ROV projecting lights to see the object

 

  The team designing and constructing the vehicle is made up of three members. Matt Gannon is specializing on the electrical system to operate all functions on the ROV. Ross Basri is specializing on the hull that fits all functions on the vehicle. I am specializing on the mechanical claw to collect samples and perform the other tasks in the competition. This team concept models a real life situation in which a team would also comprise of members specializing on a specific aspect of the remotely operated vehicle. One member of the team will control the ROV at the competition while in the control shack.


ROV design that includes a camera and claw



MATE ROV International team



ROV Operation Center

Man operating ROV in BP oil spill

IFE ROV Engineer working on electrical unit



 Humans are limited in underwater environments. They are limited to the depths they can reach and they are limited to the areas they can maneuver into. ROVs are extremely versatile and can do things humans simply cannot. ROVs are used to investigate shipwrecks, such as the Titanic. They are used to retrieve objects at depths that humans cannot reach. ROVs are utilized in oceanographic research situations, and have even discovered a handful of new species. Remotely operated vehicles are often found around oil drilling platforms working to repair damaged structure. The MATE competition gives each team member a chance to experience what an entry level mechanical engineering job entails.






ROV exploring sunken vessel



Photo taken by ROV during deep sea archaeology

ROV used to explore in the Arctic Ocean

ROVs can repair objects such as the pipe pictured above



The team will design and construct an ROV in an effort to simulate how an ROV would allow a team to complete a task in a real life situation. In many cases, remotely operated vehicles are used in predicaments such as oil spills or mine warfare. ROVs can allow a team to examine and fix an oil spill or clear mines that have been ready to deploy for decades; events that not only effect people in those fields, but also the general public. ROVs are used in significant situations and are used in a professional manner. They can be used for entertainment, but they are a very vital part of reducing the risks involved in dangerous occupations.

Professional ROV used for deep sea exploration



Mini ROV used for entertainment

Various types of ROVs found in research/exploration settings

 Mechanical claws are not only utilized on remotely operated vehicles. They are modified to be commonly placed in arcade games. One popular game that includes a 3 part mechanical claw is a claw crane (which is also called a variety of names). The player participating in this game uses a joy stick to manipluate the crane that controls a claw. The claw can move back and forth, as well as side to side. After the claw is positioned to win it's intended prize, the player clicks a button to descend the claw downward to grip onto the prize. Mechanical claws are also used in other industries, including film and production.



Three part claw





Crane claw arcade game



Claw toy produced by Fisher Price