Abstract

In the spring of 2008 a competition will take place where multiple teams will compete using the remotely operated vehicles they have designed. The winners will then go on to compete with other teams around the world. The Rov’s must be designed following the specifications and limitations set forth by the MATES competition and are constructed by the students that make up the team. The team must also be prepared to give a presentation on the design process involved in building their Rov.

The purpose of the Marine Advanced Technology Education Center competition is to prepare the future workforce for marine-related careers (MATE). This is done by organizing student groups from middle schools through high schools who work together to design and construct a Rov. The Rov must be constructed as a multi-purpose platform which can be modified to fit the tasks of the competition, which are released about three months before the first competition. Below in Figure 1 a team is seen controlling their Rov by watching the cameras onboard.

Figure 1
Teams compete by a poolside control station (MATES).

Throughout the entire process the organizers of the competition have very strict safety guidelines. These are used to protect the students from industrial hazards that they may not have been thoroughly warned about, and to emphasize the danger that comes from working in a marine environment. One of the greatest dangers is electrocution through an improperly sealed connection. This is why a thorough safety check is performed before the Rov’s are allowed to enter the water. The constant emphasis on these safety checks teaches the competitors to do a complete job on every aspect of the project. As shown in Figure 2 below, the likelihood of a mistake becomes greater with the complexity of the Rov. Unlike in a land environment, a simple mistake in a marine environment can lead to the loss of an entire vehicle.

Figure 2
Teams must check all parts of the ROV before competition to avoid costly mistakes (MATES).

While the competition tasks change from year to year they are always focused on the global issues of the time. A major theme has been global warming and the use of Rov’s to study its effect. While it is impossible to predict what this years tasks will be, it can be assumed that a mobile platform capable of holding a robotic arm will be needed. The platform must also be able to raise weights from the bottom of a test tank, whether it is through the use of variable buoyancy or motorized propulsion. The Rov must also be able to withstand the depths of a standard pool. It is very important that the Rov be capable of moving swiftly through the water as all tasks are judged by time. The Rov must also be tethered and controlled by a station set up next to the waters edge. In Figure 3 below teams are seen preparing to compete from the side of the pool. Onboard cameras must also be employed as it is the only visual connection the pilot will have with the Rov.

Figure 3
Students preparing to compete (MATES).

While designing and constructing the Rov many factors must be considered. These include the material selection and size of the Rov. One that is too large will move slowly through the water and be difficult to transport. One made of weak materials may break before ever reaching the competition. The Rov must be small enough that it can be lifted and placed into the water without any mechanical help such as a winch. A good size to aim for would be one that could be carried by a single person.

Before the teams even begin to compete they must present their project to the sponsors and managers of the competition. The teams tackle this problem in varying ways from prepared speeches to the use of poster boards and PowerPoint presentations. Whatever a team’s technique may be it is important that they do the best job they can as a large portion of their score comes directly from this presentation. Below a team is seen presenting their Rov in figure 4.

Figure 4
Teams must present their design to an audience before competing (MATES).

While winning this competition is the ultimate goal, the skills learned during the process of designing a Rov are skills that will stay with you your whole life. It may even be enough to spark an interest in a lifelong passion. The Mates competition is solely based to inform students of marine related careers and it is experiences like these that will help you decide what career to pursue.