Oceans '13 MTS/IEEE San Diego Preview
Heeding the call to join âAn Ocean in Common,â authors flooded the Oceans â13 MTS/IEEE San Diego technical program committee with a record number of abstracts in a single day. Special topics include an Ultra-deep track discussing current and prospective robotic technologies, plus a panel of scientists to consider research questions. Oceans2013 Chair Bob Wernli, and Co-Chair Kevin Hardy, developer of the unmanned landers for James Cameronâs DeepSea Challenge Expedition, will be the session conveners. âJamesâ intention is to be certain the door remains open to other explorers,â Hardy said.
Autonomous Robot Maps Ship Hulls for Mines
Algorithms enable robot to navigate and view propellers and other complex structures. For years, the U.S. Navy has employed human divers, equipped with sonar cameras, to search for underwater mines attached to ship hulls. The Navy has also trained dolphins and sea lions to search for bombs on and around vessels. While animals can cover a large area in a short amount of time, they are costly to train and care for, and donât always perform as expected. In the last few years, Navy scientistsâŚ
Clamp Supplier Dives into Project
Bluefin Robotics Corp. called on Clampco â a manufacturer of stainless steel T-bolt band clamps and V-band couplings â when it needed help "testing the waters." Bluefin specializes in manufacturing underwater robotic equipment for offshore survey, military, and scientific research customers. By working with Clampco Products Inc., Bluefin was able to complete an underwater robotics project for the U.S. Navy in record time. Bluefin designed, built, tested, and demonstrated its AUV (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle) for the Coastal System Station and the Office of Naval Research in approximately eight months â half the time typically required for projects of a similar scale. Sam Tolkoff, engineer at Bluefin, attributes this rapid development to one of its suppliers, Clampco Products, Inc.
Bluefin Wins BPAUV Contract
Autonomous Undersea Vehicle (BPAUV) design and development. Littoral Combat Ship Mine Warfare Mission Module. surveillance, reconnaissance, and survey requirements. Cambridge, Mass., and is expected to be completed by December 2006. will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. competitively procured. contracting activity (N00024-05-C-6316).
