Summary/ Reader Response #3
A website from Deep Trekker (Deep Trekker, 2022) promotes the usage of their underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). Among its functions, the ROV has the capability to conduct intensive observation under rough conditions and concurrently send live feedback to its user. The DTG3, a miniature class ROV, is a lightweight machine with built-in thrusters, a rotating camera, an Ultra Short baseline (USBL) positioning system, and a state-of-the-art controller with many add-on options to the robot. As mentioned on the webpage, the camera used on the ROV is an enhanced 4k resolution camera that allows users to inspect under dim lighting conditions and provides enhanced clarity with its underwater auto-adjusting functions (Deep Trekker, 2022). The rotating camera can show a 270-degree view vertically and horizontally of its surroundings (Deep Trekker, 2022). This feature is helpful when inspecting structures with large areas. Besides the camera, the webpage mentioned that the USBL positioning system has a discrepancy of 20cm from its actual position reducing the chances of losing the robot (Deep Trekker, 2022). The machine also comes with a multifunctional controller that eases the inspection check for users. The DTG3 has many add-on options (interchangeable tips) to cater to the unique needs of the users, for instance, a grabber's arm, a sensor, and a laser scaler. The DTG3 will be safer than manual diving in a harsh environment, spend a longer duration underwater, and can accomplish tasks with the same level of accuracy as a human.
One advantage of the ROV is that it can protect workers
from workplace accidents, ensuring their safety. According to Kraft Davies
Olsson (n.d.), yearly scuba diving accidents pile up to 80 deaths in the United
States and Canada. The websites also mentioned that the underlying root causes
of the deaths include gas-supply problems, entrapment, and equipment troubles.
Even though divers prepare themselves before each dive, they frequently
encounter unforeseen problems underwater. Deploying an ROV can reduce the risk ratio
significantly. DTG3 can better assist the users with underwater fieldwork while
they remain on the land.
One advantage of the ROV is that it can protect workers
from workplace accidents, ensuring their safety. According to Kraft Davies
Olsson (n.d.), yearly scuba diving accidents pile up to 80 deaths in the United
States and Canada. The websites also mentioned that the underlying root causes
of the deaths include gas-supply problems, entrapment, and equipment troubles.
Even though divers prepare themselves thoroughly before each dive, they
frequently encounter unforeseen problems underwater. Death is inevitable if
divers cannot escape the tough predicament. Deploying an ROV reduces the need
for diving and reduces risk. DTG3 can better assist the users with underwater
fieldwork while they remain on the land.
One benefit of the DTG3 is the precision in collecting
and recording of data is equivalent to manual divers. Mounted on the ROV is a
rotating camera that can provide an extensive view of its surroundings. The
camera used is a 4000-pixel camera system that can produce a clear image by
integrating the pixels. Areas with low lighting (underwater) have a low dynamic
range (LDR) which causes the blurry effect of an object in a video with dim
lighting (Bennett & McMillan, 2005). The 4k camera can brighten up the
graphics making the image defined. With the enhanced 4k camera providing much
clearness of the ocean, the DTG3 can execute the necessary inspection thus, can
remove the process of human diving entirely.
The downside of the ROVs' ability is the inflexibility of
getting out of a sticky position. The DTG3 is controlled by connecting a tether
cable from a controller to the ROV (Staff, 2016). During the dive, the
umbilical tether cable sometimes gets caught around an unknown object. One must
attempt to unravel it, squandering time, resources, and the entire mission.
Replacing the ROV with a new one is pricey. The diver himself must dive to
untangle the cable manually. Manual diving is needed occasionally when the DTG3
is in a situation like this.
In conclusion, the ROV’s overall design and unique
features make it an essential tool for exploration and inspection work. The
DTG3 is on par with manual divers due to its enhanced features. While manual
diving cannot be removed entirely from the equation, the DTG3 can reduce the
need for diving. DTG3 can ensure workers` productivity, accuracy, and safety of
workers, making them a worthwhile investment for businesses.
Reference list
Bennett, E & McMillan, L. (2005). Video Enhancement
Using Per-Pixel Virtual Exposures, pg. 1, https://dl.acm.org/doi/pdf/10.1145/1186822.1073272?casa_token=4L9s6oeHevYAAAAA:YzFr_uf6JMT6Dqv1zGYGgekZjUVfyxInR5MQXbRZSRFCfOW1K_rByJPe7fgYppdNw3KrXV0eGS2RBlY
Deep Trekker. (2022). ROV Buying Guide. Everything You
Need to Know Before You Buy. https://www.deepTrekker.com/resources/rov-buying-guide
Gibb,
N. (2019). How long Does the Air in a Scuba Tank Last. https://www.tripsavvy.com/how-long-does-scuba-tank-last-2963212
Kraft Davies Olsson. (n.d). Commercial Scuba Diving
Accidents and Death. https://www.marineinjurylaw.com/commercial-scuba-diving-accidents-deaths.html#:~:text=According%20to%20published%20data%2C%20approximately,scuba%20diver%20organization%20DAN%20America
Staff, B. (2016).
Top 3 Challenges of Undersea Situational Awareness. https://inside.battelle.org/blog-details/challenges-of-undersea-situational-awareness
Comments
Post a Comment