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UWTH When
machines learned swimming
They
inspect offshore pipelines, look into ship wrecks, explore deep
sea volcanos and are used in dangerous area. Underwater robots
are everywhere in the use, where it becomes uncomfortable for
human divers. Today the underwater UAVs are to become
independent.
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TRIBUN
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Diving robots have
much in common with the planetary ROVERs used by the NASA to
creep over Mars and other worlds far away from humans live
sphere. Both are the results of high end research programs and
both are designed for the investigation of unpleasant and far
areas. Whereby some hundreds meters under water are still as
difficult to access for humans as far planets. And because of
the harshness of those universes, the leak of communication
possibilities and the necessity of independent deciding, such
systems have to act as independently as possible.
One main response
to this problem, is the TRIBUN, a module oriented AUV (Under
Water Vehicle) developed by the UWTH and the Universities of Lower Saxony.
Quietly independent and equipped with a camera system enabling
3D Vision, the TRIBUN replaces human divers in dangerous underwater or
contaminated areas.
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Underwater
Tests
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The development of
TRIBUN is a subproject of the European special research area 264
(SFB 264, automated manufacturing under water). In 1999 the
institute for materials technology (IW- Hanover) could present 2
subprojects of the SFB (TRIBUN, modular bionic arm) together
with the institute for finishing technique and cutting machine
tools on Hanover's Industry fair. The exhibition booth consisted
of water containers with the exhibits, serving and control
computers as well as a video presentation on which the visitors
were alternatively informed about the SFB 264 or could pursue
the Live video picture of the TRIBUN cameras. Further different
kinematics concepts of MOUS, a modular bionic arm developed by
Mr. Avgoustinos were presented in their different application
fields.
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MOUS
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Photo
: UWTH
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TRIBUN was
shown in a configuration for the optical inspection equipped
with 2-double-propeller-drive and the stereoscopic camera system
as well as a bionic arm for the salvage of small articles. Due
to the relatively small water containers and the small depth of
water high maneuverability also in close spaces could be proven.
Article Reference : 002050
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Product News
> Robotics