Uses Of Remotely Operated Vehicles

By Tammie Caldwell


We have heard of vehicles that can be put to use without the operator being physically present in them. Their control is achieved by use of a series of cables or command signal from a source in which the operator is present. Remotely operated vehicles also known as ROV are used in waters and have the ability of attaining depths that divers cannot reach. They have found a number of uses as a result of this ability.

The science world is among the users of this type of vehicles. In line of their duties, they are likely to have concern about the happening of regions under water. When carrying out their experiments in such places, they make use of this equipment as well as when collecting samples for further study in the mainland. The scientists are also in a position to take photos of the same to support their arguments.

Exploration may need to be done along the deep waters bed. Such areas are risky for human divers to reach and special equipment are called in. Such include ROVs. They use them to conduct surveys in these regions which at times results to discovery of minerals. Also they use them to take sample of the minerals for further testing.

Among the features of these vehicles are the cameras and visual recorders fitted on them. The vehicles are therefore in a position to take images as well as visual recordings while in operation. This has resulted to them discovering a lot including ancient wrecks such as the infamous Titanic. They are also important in locating collapsed vessels and identifying their locations.

Valued items may need to be retrieved from such wrecks at one point. Achieving this by use of divers is risky and may not be easily achieved. This equipment is availed in a manner that they can assume the human roles. They are therefore used in retrieving of equipment such as the black boxes and their ability to open compartments may save lives in case victims are trapped in an enclosure.

The military need to be constantly on the lookout for any attacks at all times. Water bodies are an ideal avenue for easily carrying out an attack without being detected. They use this type of equipment in conducting searchers of attack vessels as well conducting survey on foreign water masses. They are also in a position to uphold national security by conducting regular patrol on water bodies using them.

In films, we have seen scenes captured in deep waters. Some of these scenes comprise of regions that cannot support human life or are impossible for human to access. Such scenes are captured through the use of ROV. The nature documentaries makers also use them when covering topics concerning deep waters.

Oil spills are a health hazard to marine life and measures have been put in place to combat them in case they occur. These vehicles are used to investigate on the damage and determine how serious the problem is. The Oil and gas industry also use them in exploration of areas rich in oil and gas deposits as well as monitoring their drilling progress.




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