Deep-Ocean Bites: Underwater Robots Miniseries

We know less about the ocean floor than we do about the surface of the Moon and Mars. This is due to the many challenges that explorers must overcome to study the deep sea, including high pressure, low temperature, and complete darkness. Underwater robots are essential tools for ocean exploration, reaching areas of the ocean that are too dangerous or too difficult for humans to go. Remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) are underwater robots that are tethered to a ship on the ocean’s surface via a long power and communications cable, allowing pilots on board the ship to see what the robot is exploring and control it from above. Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are not tethered to the ship and instead are controlled by a pre-programmed computer within the vehicle. Both types of underwater robots are highly customizable to the type of environments and research questions they are being used to explore. They are commonly outfitted with bright lights and high-definition cameras to capture what deep-sea environments look like. Additionally, ROVs and AUVs can be outfitted with a variety of sensors and tools to collect data and samples to better understand the deep ocean. Ocean engineers and pilots help to design, build, and even “fly” these underwater robots.