How Autonomy and Advanced Control Significantly Increase the Capabilities of Observation-class ROVs

摘要

Now more than ever, observation-class ROV operators are finding automation and advanced vehicle control provide them the tools needed to allow them to perform their jobs more efficiently and deliver customers greater capabilities. The demand for observation-class ROVs is growing, manufacturers have met the demand, now technology must deliver tools to aid the operation of these complex systems. Three primary technologies are required to deliver greater performance for this class of vehicles now: integrated operator interfaces, advanced vehicle control functions, and autonomy. The effectiveness and intuitiveness of the operator interface is critical to the success of observation-class ROVs because with greater payloads and mission scope, operators have more to manage. Advanced control functions, such as autopilots, dynamic positioning, and sonar or vision-based target-relative control are critical because they provide vehicle stability and ROV performance exceeding traditional operating modes. Automation gives personnel the opportunity to pre-plan dives and execute jobs proficiently, consistently, and repeatably. The most effective implementations of this technology, like the control system developed by Greensea Systems, will employ a comprehensive solution for pilots that fuses sensor data, vehicle data, navigation, and control into a single, easy-to-use workspace.