All-Russian Aquarobotech 2018 marine robotics competition kicks off in Vladivostok

The first Russian competition "Aquarobotech 2018" that has brought together 22 teams, including those of law enforcement agencies and research centers, has kicked off in Vladivostok, the TV Channel One Russia reports.

All marine robots divided into categories has undergone a weighting procedure. The vehicles participate in exercises depending on the class, says Vadim Plyukhin, the head of the 3rd Vladivostok Tests Centre.

There two classes of underwater vehicles - autonomous and remotely operated (AUV, ROV). Before the launch, programmers of the first ones will map the route of the robot so that it could successfully complete the task and return to the base without human intervention.

For example, the glider-type robot is able to autonomously ply the sea for months, collecting data via cameras and sensors. The marine robot does not have any propulsion engines at all.

The most common class of underwater vehicles are ROVs. They are indispensable for a detailed survey of the seabed without human involvement, or operate as a diving support vessel. This type of marine robot is designed to operate at depths of 300 meters. The operator controls it using telemetry. The ROV is outfitted with video cameras that transmits the picture in real time to the operator.

"The vehicles have a number of hardware and software that enable the operator to survey not only the bed surface, but under it. This function is extremely useful as the capability help reduce mine threats," says Igor Korolev, Deputy Commander In Chief, the Russian Navy’s Pacific Fleet, chief referee of the Aquarobotech 2018.

The overwhelming majority of AUVs and ROVs, hardware/software were engineered and manufactured in Russia.
Previous report said that a leading maritime news provider PortNews Media Group, on the initiative of the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade with the support of the Federal Agency for Sea and River Transport, will host a roundtable "Marine Robotics: Laws, Applications, Technologies" on August 24, 2018. The event is part of the program of the International Forum ARMY2018 and was timed to the All-Russian marine robotics competition.

The roundtable will be held simultaneously at two venues via a conference call: at the Vladivostok based Admiral Nevelskoy Maritime State University hall. (16.00 to 18.00 local time), and in Moscow at the conference hall of Rosmorrechflot, 09:00 to 11:00 (UTC+4). The free access live webcast will be available on IAA PortNews website.