Ocean Inspection Systems (ROVs)

More than two-thirds of the surface of the planet is covered by oceans. Ocean exploration vehicles were a novelty until recently. Remote Operated Vehicles or ROVs are used in exploring the ocean floors. These are automated robotic equipment. They have now been used for many decades now.

When we think of robots, we immediately think of the ones pictured in movies. But robots have been used in many industrial sectors for quite some time now. Automated welder robots are being used in auto assembly lines. Now robots are being used to explore the world's oceans.

The deep oceans have been likened with outer space. Both are inaccessible and risky to exploring humans. While 30% of the surface of the planet on land has been thoroughly explored, much remains to be known of the remaining 70% oceans. New species of flora and fauna are being discovered very often on land, so one can imagine what new species we may have in the oceans that are as yet unknown. Many people are also interested in the commercial exploitation of the vast natural mineral resources such as gas and oil that the oceans have to offer.

ROVs can be used both for scientific and commercial reasons when exploring oceans. The US Navy funded their development during the 1960s. They are being used for rescue operations underwater since then. The oil exploration industry quickly saw their potential use for developing offshore oil drilling expeditions. This industry uses ROVs for tasks such as inspection of subsea platforms and pipelines, connecting pipelines and generally working underwater.

The ROVs have become especially valuable these days in the exploitation of mineral resources. This is because many mineral deposits are being discovered at depths that are impossible for human divers to fathom.

ROVs come in different designs. They range from scientific models that are comparatively lightweight to workhorse giants that weigh up to 11,000 pounds. An umbilical or tether cable is used to convey commands of a surface vessel operator to the ROV. The cable also carries sensory data and video signals.

A typical ROV has thrusters allowing it to move in any direction and to pivot around all three rotation axes. It may have lights, cameras, manipulators or cutters and instruments to collect water samples. It also may have sensing equipment such as sonars, instruments for measuring temperature and light penetration of the water, and magnetometers.

The military uses these devices for salvage operations of sunken planes and ships. ROVs are also used for mine inspection and clearing. They have been utilized to locate historic shipwrecks, such as those of Titanic, Bismark, and USS Yorktown. ROVs have also contributed to the advancement of science by discovering hitherto unknown marine plants and animals.

The oceans present their unique challenge in the fact that the ocean bottom may be unfathomable in many places. Yet this has not deterred our motivation to use ROVs for deep-sea exploration expeditions. Whether you're an oceanographer or a biologist, it may stoke your imagination as to what yet remains to be uncovered in our quest to upgrade our knowledge on what lies beneath the deep oceans.