ROVs in a Bucket: Contagious, Experiential Learning by Building Inexpensive, Underwater Robots

Abstract

A Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) can be an underwater robot. A simple ROV has been developed that can be built by grade-school children using off-the-shelf and off-the-Internet parts. PVC pipe is used for the frame, bilge pump motors for thrust, and speaker wire transfers power and control information from the switch box to the robot. Soldering is not required. Once constructed, these ROVs are safely powered by 12v car batteries and are small enough to be run inside a 30-gallon trash can or small pool. Parts for the ROV kit can be purchased for under $125 (sans camera and lights). A detailed ROV build manual is available from doug.levin@noaa.gov. The program is an effective delivery tool that links marine science with a host of other, related disciplines.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2007
Accession Number
ADA519491

Entities

People

  • Christine Arrasate
  • Douglas R. Levin
  • Krista Trono

Organizations

  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Autonomy
  • Cyber

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Buoyancy
  • Chesapeake Bay
  • Commerce
  • Competition
  • Education
  • Instructions
  • Instructors
  • Learning
  • Lessons Learned
  • Marine Biology
  • New York
  • Oceanography
  • Oceans
  • Psychological Phenomena And Processes
  • Remotely Piloted Vehicles
  • Students
  • Training

Readers

  • Hydraulic Engineering.
  • Robotics and Automation.
  • Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

  • AI & ML
  • AI & ML - Autonomous Systems
  • Autonomy