The ROV challenge!

Welcome to a little engineering exercise in Oceanography. This project represents the culmination of our learning about current research and technology in the year 2006. You and your team will build an ROV that must perform a “mission” in the MA pool. If we’re lucky, we’ll also get to test some of the ROVs in the SF Bay later in the semester. Because of the scope of the project and amount of time I think it will take, this will be worth 1.5 tests or 150 points. You will get a full rubric later, but the Evaluation section will outline what is involved.

You will work with a team of 3-4 individuals in class on this challenge. Because everyone has different skill-sets going into this, you will end up playing different roles. We will talk about this further in class. In addition to evaluating your ROV and its performance, you will also evaluate your own role (and your peers) so pay attention to that, be responsible, and notice how your group works together. There shouldn’t be one (or more) person dominating, likewise there shouldn’t be one (or more) person laying back and slacking. Here’s how I’ll divide up effort for the project: If you have 4 people, and the total project scored 140/150, I will ask you how much effort each person put in. Say the breakdown was 25%, 25%, 20%, 30%. That means the four people’s scores will be: 140, 140, 133, and 147 respectively. (I subtracted 5% from the 3^rd person, and added 5% to the 4^th)

The Challenge:

Your ROV will have to do 3 things in the MA pool. These challenges will run over two days, and your ROV can be modified slightly between challenges (more later on that). You will have 1 shot at them, then be able to redo ONE challenge if you desire.

1. Treasure of the Bounty: The first challenge is a timed event where your ROV must attempt to retrieve the sunken treasure on the pool bottom. There will be several items (I will practice with my own ROV and specify them later) that are on the pool and you will have 5 minutes to manipulate your ROV and return as many of the items as possible to the pool-side. You will be scored on how many items you return successfully within the time limit. Points will be deducted for going over 5 minutes. This event will be done one ROV at a time in the shallow end of the pool

2. The Descent: This challenge will test your ROV’s maneuverability. You will pilot the ROV from the side of the pool in the deep end, descend half-way and maintain that depth until the “canyon” is reached. The canyon will be a submerged cylinder or square (to be made!) at least 4 foot wide that you must descend in and touch the bottom. After touching bottom, you will ascend and return to the side of the pool. Points will be awarded based on your time.

3. The Race: This event is an all-out race across the width of the pool. I’m not sure if we’ll be able to do all 4 teams simultaneously or not. You will start at one side, descend, and race to the other side where you will have to identify a picture of one of 8 zooplankton (remember those?) with your camera before turning around and racing back. Points will be awarded for time and correct identification.

Eight things to think about when building your ROV (not in any particular order)

1. Structure: This keeps it all together. Basic shape, and design.
2. Flotation: Maybe obvious. This keeps the ROV upright, and works with ballast. An ROV should float before it sinks (with the payload and propulsion, the ROV should come to the surface with no additional power).
3. Ballast: works with flotation to keep the ROV neutrally buoyant (floating just under the surface of the water)
4. Propulsion: We will be using a Mayfair Bilge pump with an attached propeller to move the robots. You will have to decide where to place your 3 props for best movement.
5. Power: A 12 Volt car battery will provide the power to the props.
6. Control: Each team will have a control box where the three props are controlled
7. Navigation and sensors: you will have a waterproof digital camera that will connect to a TV monitor on the poolside to aid you in navigation.
8. Payload: These are the tools attached to your ROV to complete the 3 missions outlined above.

Roles:

• Structural Engineer: This person is in charge of drawing up the final design and parts list (for Thurs 2/2). The design will be checked and parts list will be submitted on Feb 2.
• Project Manager: This person is in charge of the overall project. S/he will have an eye to the timeline, will coordinate the team, and resolve any disputes. This person will be the only one who can ask questions of Dai about the design or process.
• Driver: This person is the one on the controls of the ROV during competition day!
• Tether Manager: If you don’t have a 4^th person, this could be either of the 1^st two. This person handles the ROV poolside and manages the tether as well as objects the ROV picks up.

Evaluation:

In addition to how well your ROV performs, you will be evaluated on the portfolio that the group turns in. The portfolio will include:

• The Original Design that was checked on Thurs, 2/2. This is the one-page scale drawing.
• The journals of each group member from the process (3 entries from the work days, plus the self evaluation at the end)
• A final analysis of the performance of the ROV. I will have an example of what this will entail to show you. You need only to write one for the whole group, but you will all be evaluated on it. It should be concise, well-thought out, and complete.

A complete rubric with point totals will be forthcoming.

Research at Sea Timeline

Date	In Class	Where you should be at the end of class:
Wed 1/26	Introduction to the project. Timeline. Talk about roles and evaluation: Choosing groups	Understand the basics. Homework will be for EVERYONE to come up with a possible design for the ROV.
Fri 1/28	Dai is gone on Outing Watch “The Deep” in the founder’s lecture hall	HW: Write a 1 page reflection on the film. What did you learn about “smokers?” How is light used by deep sea creatures and what are some examples? How does the base of the food chain differ in the deep sea from elsewhere in the oceans? What are some examples?
Tue, 1/31	More talk about Ballast and stability and payload. Meeting with the groups to look at designs. Choosing a Structural Engineer and Project Manager	You should have chosen a design you will pursue and the Structural Engineer will modify and write it up for Thursday with a parts-list. The Design write-up should be a one-page scale drawing of the ROV, with a list of parts for the structure. The parts list will include what Dai needs to buy (PVC pipe) and what the team will supply. Extra points will be awarded for salvaged or recycled materials used.
Thurs, 2/2	Design check and Parts List. Dai will buy PVC pipe and have your parts available to you for your ROV. More talk and demo about electricity/power and propulsion. Meet with team to plan out the next week, and ask any questions of Dai	This is the last day for Questions for Dai. Homework will be to go collecting and bring in all materials needed for building on Monday.
Mon, 2/6	Dai is gone. Work on ROV The physical structure. Try to finish the structure by the end of class.	You should aim to have the basic structure complete by the end of class. This is not including flotation, ballast, propulsion and payload. If you don’t complete it in class, come in during your free to work on it, or after school. Each team member writes a 1/2 page entry to their ROV journal that will become part of the portfolio. Reflect on 1) the work of the group 2)your role today 3) what you accomplished
Wed, 2/8	Dai is gone. Work on ROV The electrical system. You will solder one of the switches for your control box, test the ROV for buoyancy in the trash can, and attach the props (remember to remove them at the end of class for the next group.)	Structure, Flotation and Ballast should be complete. You will be able to test it later and tweak the design. Each team member writes a 1/2 page entry to their ROV journal that will become part of the portfolio. Reflect on 1) the work of the group 2)your role today 3) what you accomplished Read article about Shark research on the Farallones in preparation for Scot’s visit. Don’t forget that Tuesday both blocks meet at 9:25 in the Lecture Hall (front rows).
Fri, 2/10	Trouble-shooting: This period is for reworking your design, adding the touches such as the payload. Your ROV should be ready for the big-time practice day on 2/16. You will be evaluated on how complete your ROV is when Dai returns. It’s ok if you get stuck on some electrical problem, but your robot should be basically complete with structure, flotation, ballast, propulsion and payload.	No-Homework Weekend!
Tues, 2/14	Special Guest: Scot Anderson White Shark researcher from the Farallones will talk during G-BLOCK ONLY. Both classes come to the lecture hall at 9:25. Sit in the front rows!	Write a 1 page reflection of Scot’s talk. What did you learn from him? How did his description of research differ from your prior perception?
Thurs, 2/16	Finishing the ROVs At the end of today, your ROV and electrical system should be ready to go.	Come in during extra time for more practice, or to modify your ROV. Write a 1/2 page reflection for today. Reflect on 1) the work of the group 2)your role today 3) what you accomplished
Tues, 2/16	Pool Practice Day: We will have power, and ability to practice in the pool. We will decide on a schedule for the challenge days (order, etc) and try to stick to it.	Begin working on your ROV Technical Report (see assignments)
Thurs 2/23	Day 1 Challenge: We’re in the pool and we will have visitors who will help to judge the groups. Be prepared to go during your time slot.	Continue work on the Technical Report. Tweak your ROV for the next challenge if you need to.
Mon 2/27	Day 2 Challenge: We’ll finish the competition, and each team will be able to re-do one of the 3 challenges after they have redesigned if they would like.	Finish Technical Report, self evaluation, and put together your portfolio. You will bring all of it to class. You will have 5 minutes at the beginning to assemble the portfolio (but not time to work on it!)