P2-ROV a portable/polar ROV

摘要

P2-ROV is a portable polar ROV. Designed to be transported via-helicopter and easily handled by a small team of scientists it is specially addressed to work under the shelf ice of Antarctica by exploiting the holes drilled in the ice by means of a special 350 mm auger; the shape of the vehicle reminds that of a torpedo contained in a 340 mm diameter. Highly automated, P2-ROV is designed to work in hovering in order to monitor the peculiar Platelet Ice and to collect biological samples. For this purpose it will be equipped with a mechanical arm with an embedded suction pump which permits to collect larvae and fish eggs of the species that live and breed in the Platelet Ice. During these operations P2-ROV is remotely controlled, with a tether that transmits mutual information and electrical power, by operators safely standing on the Pack Ice. P2-ROV, light and manageable, is highly modular thanks to the open-frame chassis that allows for quick installation and shifting of tools, equipment and sensors. Even thrusters are interchangeable and displace-able modules. In this way the vehicle can be reconfigured at every mission according to the specific needs.