Presentation 2: ROV Design

Week 3 Part 1 of Building Underwater Robots

Topic: Robotics
Time: 20 Minutes
Type: Presentation

Description

This presentation introduces students to the design and construction of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). Students will explore what ROVs are, their uses, core systems, and engage in building their own basic frame using PVC parts See Activity 3.

Materials Required

  • Projector or computer with presentation
  • Optional: ROV for demonstration

Presentation PDF

Questions to Ask

  • What is an ROV and what makes it different from other robots?
  • Why might we want an ROV to be tethered?
  • Which systems are most important for underwater movement?
  • How do buoyancy and propulsion interact?
  • What kinds of tasks can ROVs be designed for?

Activities

Step 1: What is an ROV?

Students learn about the concept of remotely operated vehicles, tethering, and real-world use cases like underwater archaeology and water quality monitoring.

Step 2: Understanding ROV Systems

Introduce students to essential subsystems: - Frame - Buoyancy - Propulsion - Power - Control - Tether - (Optionally mention sensors/payloads)

Step 3: ROV Design Styles

Compare orthogonal and vector motor configurations: - Orthogonal: Surge, Heave, Yaw, Sway - Vector: Surge, Heave (vectored), Yaw, Sway (vectored)

Step 4: Build Your Own Frame

Use the provided cut PVC pieces and connectors to assemble a 2-motor orthogonal ROV frame. One motor for horizontal motion and one for vertical.

See Activity 3 for an online version the building activity.

Build instructions link:
PDF Instructions

Reflection

  • What challenges do you think you will face when building your ROV frame?
  • How do you think certain designs perform in water?
  • If you could add one new feature or improvement to an ROV, what would it be?

Learning Outcomes

  • Understand what an ROV is and identify its core components.
  • Compare different underwater movement systems and ROV layouts.
  • Apply design thinking and basic engineering principles to construct an ROV frame.
  • Collaborate in teams to solve real-world-inspired challenges.
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