Aquanaut Shifts to Perform Different Functions

May-02-18 The Aquanaut from Houston Mechatronics combines excursion and gathering functions into one autonomous underwater drone.

Still in development, the Aquanaut was designed to operate as an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), which gathers data while traveling, and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) able to perform tasks as commanded in real time.

To that end, the bot can travel in a streamlined Excursion Mode, with a pair of rear thrusters that propel it through the water as it gathers sensor data. Once it reaches a designated area, the Aquanaut can shift to Work Class Mode, extending its pair of manipulator arms, payload bay and two additional thrusters. The bot can be remotely operated by a person on shore while in this mode, which should save money since a tethered, crewed support ship is not necessary.

More Info about this Invention:

[IEEE.ORG]
[HOUSTONMECHATRONICS.COM]

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