- Researchers at the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) Mandi and Palakkad have developed a marine robot that can cater to real-time problems and reduce maintenance cost and death risk for underwater operation scenarios.
- The state-of-the-art robot has been developed for meticulous underwater monitoring and inspections, promising heightened efficiency, minimised risks, and potential cost savings, the researchers said.
Newly developed marine robot by researchers at the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) Mandi and Palakkad, funded partially by the Naval Research Board (NRB) of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), marks a significant step towards enhancing underwater monitoring and inspections, reports the Economic Times.
This innovation promises improved efficiency, reduced risks, and potential cost savings in underwater operation scenarios. Published research in the Journal of Intelligent and Robotic Systems and Ocean Engineering highlights the robot’s capabilities in real-time problem-solving and lowering maintenance costs and death risks.
Transforming Underwater Exploration
With the Earth’s surface being about 71 percent water and the oceans containing approximately 96.5 percent of all Earth’s water, the exploration of the ocean floor and its ecosystems remains largely unknown. Traditional methods involving human divers have been risky, time-consuming, and expensive. The introduction of this state-of-the-art marine robot offers a safer, cost-effective, and technologically advanced solution for detailed monitoring of oceans and infrastructure safety, such as ageing dams under environmental stress.
Technical Advancements and Field Trials
Recent open-water reservoir field trials have demonstrated significant progress in underwater vehicle technology. A novel framework designed for the prototype caters to various missions in oceans and inland waters, with simulation and experimental outcomes affirming the robot’s effectiveness amidst external disturbances like water currents and varying payloads. The development process faced challenges such as underwater communication, waterproofing, and high-pressure operations, leading to innovations in system design and advanced control mechanisms to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and performance.
Impact on Underwater Operations
The deployment of these advanced marine robots could significantly impact various applications, including hydroelectric infrastructure inspection, environmental monitoring of water bodies for early detection of environmental issues, and search and rescue operations. The research also provides insights into optimizing thruster configurations for specific missions, improving the overall performance of underwater vehicles. This breakthrough paves the way for more mature marine robotic technology, potentially transforming how underwater operations are conducted.
This development not only showcases the prowess of Indian research in marine robotics but also sets a precedent for future advancements in the field, offering a glimpse into the untapped potential of underwater exploration and maintenance.
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Source: The Economic Times
