Jumat, 06 Juli 2012

The robot built from household junk and a Playstation which can help sweep for underwater mines

The robot built from household junk and a Playstation which can help sweep for underwater mines

By Eddie Wrenn

PUBLISHED: 11:15 EST, 6 July 2012 | UPDATED: 11:15 EST, 6 July 2012

University students have built an underwater robot from household junk that will help detect mines.

Seven students from University of the West of England were responsible for designing and building the £20,000 vehicle from recycled materials.

The camera on the vehicle came from a PlayStation 3, an broadband router was used as well as fan guards from an old computer and a reversing light from a Land Rover.

The robots are used primarily for defence purposes such as mine detection, but could also be used for inspecting oil rigs or cleaning the base structures of sea wind farms.

Gareth Griffiths and Alex Sleat working on the robot, which includes a camera from a Playstation 3 and fan guards from an old computer

Gareth Griffiths and Alex Sleat working on the robot, which includes a camera from a Playstation 3 and fan guards from an old computer

The Autonomous Underwater Vehicle uses sensors and sonar to map out where it is and carry out pre-programmed tasks.

The students have entered the robot an international competition for AUVs at La Spezia in Italy this week.

Team leader Gareth Griffiths said: 'Currently there is a human element in detecting mines which is both dangerous and very costly.

'An application of the AUV is to carry out mine detection and clearing.

'Wherever possible we have recycled materials to ensure that we are working to a sustainable agenda.'

The underwater camera robot takes a 'field test': The team hopes to win a competition held next week in Italy

The underwater camera robot takes a 'field test': The team hopes to win a competition held next week in Italy

He added: 'A key part of the challenge is to build an AUV that will be robust enough to cope with a fairly hostile environment yet incorporating sophisticated equipment in a watertight and lightweight encasement.

'AUVs are frequently required to operate in environments such as murky deep waters we need to equip them with tracking and vision sensors that enable safe but accurate movement.

'This year we are focusing on making the vehicle as lightweight as possible with an ability to localise in its environment.'

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