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Subsea Wireless Camera

Based on technology developed in 2014 and used by Australian oil company Woodside, WFS Technologies has developed and tested the Seatooth Video Mark II in the North Sea. The technology was designed to be deployed by a ROV but a diver-operated tablet computer was instead used on the North Sea project to set up and control the video cameras. The WFS system wirelessly live-streamed images to the diver, and locally stored raw footage for recovery at the surface.

Full article at: Offshore Engineer 15apr19
WFS Technologies Seatooth Video Mark II

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ROV for NZ Marine Biosecurity

New Zealand’s National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) is pioneering the use of ROVs for surveillance in high-risk locations (where there are high volumes of international vessel arrivals) for marine pest incursions. The ROVs are particularly useful where there is a risk of large predators, like leopard seals, sea lions and sharks, presenting dangers to divers.

Full article at: NIWA ROV for marine biosecurity

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ROVs for Marine Research

ROVs have been used to conduct marine research for years now. Some excellent examples include:

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Follow that Jellyfish

Engineers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI) have designed an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) to study and follow individual creatures in the ocean twilight zone for up to 2 days. The build team expanded to include engineers and scientists from WHOI, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), Stanford University, and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, with additional funding from the National Science Foundation. The Mesobot is expected to make its maiden plunge into the twilight zone mid-2019.

Full article at: WHOI OceanUs Magazine 12mar19
WHOI Mesobot

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Battery management

Battery management and safety are important skills for ROV use.  Important tips are:

  1. Don’t let the battery voltage drop too low (see manufacturer’s specs)
  2. Set low-voltage alarms in QGroundControl to alert you when you need to swap batteries
  3. We insert our batteries in fire-proof bags for both storage and charging
  4. When travelling, we carry batteries in a metal tool box
  5. Always follow battery manufacturer’s safety procedures
  6. Never leave a charging battery unattended

Check our Tech Space for a video on how to quickly swap a battery for the BlueROV2 or set low voltage alarms in QGC.

You can also find more information about battery safety on sites like HobbyKing LiPO Battery Safety 101.