Summary Reader Response Draft 4

 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 within 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 (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, have the capacity to spend a longer duration underwater, and can accomplish tasks with the same level of accuracy as a human(diver/ inspector).

One advantage of the DTG3 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 land.

One more benefit of the DTG3 is the precision in collecting and recording 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, removing the process of inspecting by human diving entirely.

The downside of the DTG3 ROVs' ability is the inflexibility of getting out of a tough 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 better than 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

Bennett, E & McMillan, L. (2005). Video enhancement using per-pixel virtual exposures, Siggraph 2005, pp. 845-852.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. Trip Savy. 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

(2016). Top 3 Challenges of Undersea Situational Awareness. https://inside.battelle.org/blog-details/challenges-of-undersea-situational-awareness