European teams vie for autonomous underwater vehicles prize
The SAUC-E (Student Autonomous Underwater Challenge Europe) took place in Great Britain at the the Ocean Basin in Gosport. This is Europe’s largest freshwater tank, measuring 120 meters (394 feet) long, 60 meters (197 feet) wide and 5.5 meters (18 feet) deep. Eight different teams from various European countries competed in this event. The winner was Team Nessie from Heriot Watt University.
According to the BBC The competition involves Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). The AUVs are not controlled by students using outside communications systems like joysticks, external GPS systems or computers. The AUVs must be able to negotiate an underwater obstacle course without any external control from the students.
The Ocean Basin holds six gallons of fresh water and also contains a wave machine and an underwater rotating arm. With these two additional features, the AUVs can be tested for endurance in rough seas and stability. Since this competition is sponsored by U.K.’s Defense Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), these AUVs and their technology could have military uses as well as industrial uses.
Many underwater jobs like laying cable require something like a remote underwater vehicle to monitor the job. Currently, such underwater jobs require a ship and remotely controlled underwater vehicle to monitor such jobs. Other choices are small underwater manned submarine – both are expensive and use more energy than an AUV would.
The SAUC-E provides a way for the military and industry to see the latest research in this by European Universities and get a good look at talented future engineers. AUVs have the potential like air force drones, to provide surveillance or carry a payload without endangering lives. As was mentioned previously, these unmanned vehicles can conduct surveillance and possibly future maintenance cheaper and cleaner than manned vehicles.
The first place winner of the competition as stated above was Team Nessie from Great Britain. The second place winner was a team from ENSIETA (Ecole Nationale Superieure des Ingenieurs des Etudes et Techniques d’Armement). The final winner of the competition was from Germany, specifically the University of Lubeck (Hanse).
The German team won the Innovation Prize with their AUV that they built in a scant five months. Unlike the other teams which used processors and special motors designed for underwater, the University of Lubeck team used a water proofed lap top and a regular motor. Unfortunately, the motor didn’t work as well as planned so they still have some work to do.
This is a competition may lead to unknown discoveries. There is still a great deal to be learned from Earth’s Oceans. These automated vehicles may someday be able to help science discover new sources of energy, better ways of cleaning our atmosphere or new revelations about the world we habit.
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