Trends in ROV Development

This paper describes three new directions in the development of ROV control systems: exploiting the capabilities of digital video, using model-based control techniques for ROV operations, and providing ROV systems with sophisticated remote diagnostics. Goals of these trends are to increase the value of ROV operations end products (such as video), to increase efficiency of operations by adding automation, and to increase productive time by bringing outside resources to the ROV for maintenance and troubleshooting.

Advances in digital video can enhance the value of video imagery by facilitating the combination of video with other data, improving utility, and increasing the range of analyses and products that can be created from video. Current digital video technology enables systems to treat video in a manner close to the transmission and processing of other sensor data, reducing the number of components and interfaces between the camera and the video imagery's end use. Model-based control has the potential to relieve pilots from managing all tasks concerning low-level motion, coordination, and control, enabling pilots to concentrate on higher-level task planning and execution. Applying software techniques designed specifically for managing data flow in distributed control systems can give remote experts access to all the tools and information necessary to assist with worksite maintenance and troubleshooting.