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International Student ROV Competitions

Robotics courses, clubs and events for students of all ages are more readily available and frequent than ever, especially in the US.  Here are a couple of fun examples of student robotics clubs building ROVs and enjoying the challenge of competitions:

Local SeaPerch competition in Massachusetts: Andover High School students in robotics competition

Local SeaMATE competition in Seattle Washington: Port Townsend STEM club advance to 2018 MATE competition

2018 International MATE Competition going on RIGHT NOW (21-23 June in Seattle Washington):
2018 International MATE Competition home page
Live-stream video at 2018 MATE Comp
Note – live-streaming starts at 3am AEST

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Great Pacific Garbage Patch is Growing

The amount of plastic debris in our oceans is growing exponentially, according to researchers at the Ocean CleanUp Foundation and a study recently published in the journal Scientific Reports. Current estimates of the amount of plastic in the Pacific Ocean stands at 87,000 tons, four to 16 times bigger than previously thought, and occupying an area roughly four times the size of California. Concerns are that large pieces of plastic rubbish will degrade into microplastics that can then enter our food chain.

What can be done? The Ocean CleanUp Foundation has developed a mechanical system that floats through the water and concentrates the plastics into denser areas that can be collected by boats and taken back to shore to be recycled. They plan to launch the first such system this summer from Alameda, California.

Full article at: NYTimes 22mar18

Oceans Density Map - Oceans CleanUp Foundation
The density of ocean plastic in 1962 (top) compared to 2018 (bottom). Credit: Ocean Cleanup Foundation

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Real-Life Underwater Transformer

We never thought we’d see a real transformer… but, weighing in at 1050kg (2315 pounds), this heavy-weight powerhouse by Houston Mechatronics is both an AUV (autonomous underwater vehicle) and ROV (remotely operated vehicle) in one. By enclosing the arms, the Aquanaut is expected to be able to cover distances of up to 200 km (124 miles) on battery power.

Aquanaut AUV mode (Houston Mechatronics)

Aquanaut ROV mode (Houston Mechatronics)

Full article available at: Live Science 08may18

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Rare Deep-ocean Jellyfish

Check out this beachball-sized, deep-ocean jellyfish spotted recently at a depth of 974m (3200ft):

It was found off the coast of Mexico’s San Benedicto Island in the Pacific Ocean by NOAA’s Hercules ROV.

Full article at: LiveScience, 23may18