ROV Part 2: Tune, Finish and Complete Precision Missions

ROV Workshop Series

Day 2: Tune, Finish, and Complete Precision Missions

Today you will return to your ROV, make improvements, and continue building your skills as an underwater robotics team. You will revisit buoyancy, complete any unfinished Day 1 challenges, and then move into a new precision task using a crate underwater.

Your team will keep improving how you pilot, observe, and communicate. You will also spend more time using the camera view so you can become more confident driving with limited visibility and preparing for Day 3.

Driving Question

How can a team improve an underwater robot so it can complete more precise tasks?

Objectives

  • Revisit buoyancy and improve ROV balance in the water

  • Complete any remaining Day 1 pool challenges

  • Use teamwork and control to complete a precision crate mission

  • Build confidence using the camera while driving underwater

  • Prepare for Day 3 camera-based work with the iPads

Materials

  • ROV

  • Camera

  • Pool noodles

  • Tape

  • Scissors

  • Zip ties

  • 1/2″ PVC pieces

  • 3D printed hooks or grappling tools

  • Pool challenge objects

  • Underwater crate with door and object inside

Activity Steps

Return to your team’s ROV station and inspect your ROV before getting started.

Revisit buoyancy and make any changes needed to improve balance, control, and movement in the water.

Complete any unfinished Day 1 missions and continue improving your front tool if needed.

Practice using the camera more intentionally while piloting. Focus on what the camera helps you see, what is harder to judge, and how your team can communicate clearly while driving.

Move on to the crate challenge. Use your ROV and front tool to open the crate door underwater, retrieve the object inside, and close the crate door again.

Keep testing, adjusting, and improving as your team works through the mission.

Day 2 Challenges

  • Recheck and improve buoyancy

  • Complete any unfinished Day 1 missions

  • Practice piloting with the camera view

  • Open the underwater crate door

  • Retrieve the object inside the crate

  • Close the crate door after retrieval

Focus for Today

  • Make small design changes that improve performance

  • Use the camera more often while driving

  • Communicate clearly as a team during precision tasks

  • Control the ROV carefully around objects and structures

  • Prepare for Day 3 video and camera work

Think Like an Engineer

  • Is your ROV more balanced than it was on Day 1?

  • Is your front tool helping with precise tasks?

  • What can you do with the camera that is harder from the pool edge?

  • What part of the crate mission is most difficult?

  • What should your team improve before Day 3?

I’d recommend one small line near the end of the Day 2 page to help set up Day 3:

Next week your team will use the iPads and camera work in a new way, so today is the time to get comfortable driving and observing through the camera view.

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