Voyis has published an insightful article that explores the distinctions between Remotely operated Vehicles (ROVs) and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). Both types of vehicles are equipped to carry instruments, collect samples, and conduct surveys, enabling researchers to monitor their activities from a safe distance.
In today’s world,we depend on advanced robotic underwater vehicles,outfitted with complex sensors,to explore remote areas and survey vast expanses of the ocean. These vehicles are continuously advancing, acquiring new functionalities that allow us to venture deeper than ever before.
While manned submersibles have enabled human exploration at depths exceeding 4,000 meters, their complexity, high operational risks, and critically important costs render them impractical for extensive surveys.
Currently, two primary types of vehicles are utilized in deep-sea research: remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). Both represent remarkable engineering feats, capable of carrying instruments, gathering samples, and conducting surveys, all while allowing researchers to track their progress from the safety of a vessel.
Understanding ROVs
A Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) is an underwater craft controlled from the surface. It is tethered to a controller, which allows the crew on the ship to retrieve the ROV at the end of it’s mission.This tether also restricts the distance the ROV can travel independently, with its length varying based on the specific project and the ROV’s depth capabilities.
Onc deployed, ROVs can serve a multitude of purposes. By utilizing an ROV skid, the vehicle can be equipped with laser scanning and imaging systems, providing the surface team with a visual depiction of the ocean’s depths. The ROV transmits video and images back to the surface,illuminating what lies beneath the waves.
Our Perception ROV Skids for inspection and work-class ROVs facilitate the seamless integration of laser scanners and imaging systems without compromising vehicle performance. These skids feature a co-located inertial navigation system (INS) and a Doppler velocity log (DVL) with factory calibration, eliminating the need for in-field patch tests. designed for leading ROV platforms, these skids can be adapted to existing vehicles, enhancing power distribution and communication through a single connection for improved offshore integration.
Voyis’ Perception ROV Skid on a work-class ROV
A key benefit of tethered ROVs is the ability to view data in real-time, enabling operators to assess the quality of the information collected during a survey. This is notably vital for tasks such as inspecting offshore assets like pipelines or subsea structures, ensuring that sufficient data is gathered to monitor conditions and determine if intervention is necessary. With real-time feedback, operators can swiftly adjust survey objectives to address immediate issues without waiting for the survey’s completion.this adaptability is essential for asset owners conducting inspections in the dynamic subsea environment.
Despite the advantages of ROVs in reducing costs and enhancing safety by eliminating human presence, their slower speeds can hinder efficiency in capturing extensive datasets. For such operations,Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) are the preferred choice,capable of diving to depths over 6,000 meters,traveling at speeds up to 6 knots,and accommodating a diverse array of sensor payloads.
Exploring AUVs
An Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV),also referred to as an uncrewed underwater vehicle,is designed for underwater survey missions,including wide-area exploration,detection,and mapping of submerged wrecks,rocks,pipelines,and other navigational hazards.
AUVs operate independently, executing their survey missions without direct operator intervention. Upon completing a mission,the AUV returns to a predetermined location where the collected data can be downloaded and analyzed.
Although crew members program AUVs before deployment,some models can adapt their programming or modify their missions in response to the conditions they encounter underwater. Typically, auvs are equipped with sensors that monitor water temperature and other environmental factors, allowing them to alter their course or complete their mission earlier than planned based on the data they gather.
Our recon AUV payload enables the integration of laser scanners and imaging systems with the vehicle, utilizing a pre-integrated payload that simplifies the process and allows for the capture of exceptional optical data at high speeds.
Voyis’ Recon AUV Payload developed for integration with L3Harris IVER4
The effectiveness of AUVs for extensive exploration was exemplified by Ocean Infinity during their search for the MH370 aircraft wreckage. Their fleet of HUGIN AUVs demonstrated a remarkable 72% reduction in CO2 emissions on average while covering 125,000 square kilometers of seabed in just 138 days—substantially faster than the 837 days required by traditional survey vessels. This achievement highlights how AUVs are enabling researchers to access the depths of the ocean more affordably and with a lower environmental footprint. However, achieving this is just the beginning; having well-integrated, high-resolution sensors onboard is crucial for enhancing our understanding of the ocean’s final frontier.
