Summary/Reader Response Analysis Final Draft

Design Summary Reader Response Analysis

The webpage “DTG3 ROV from Deep Trekker” (Deep Trekker,2022) introduces the DTG3 ROV. Its reliability, quick set-up and deployment time makes underwater inspections and surveys hassle free. The DTG3 ROV(DTG3) comes with an enhanced 4k camera accompanied by floodlights. This allows the DTG3 to capture images with enhanced clarity, regardless of light conditions underwater. The DTG3 can also process images by utilising its onboard software, BRIDGE, to correct any colour discrepancies or enhance their clarity. The onboard software, BRIDGE, also allows for wireless control of the DTG3, allowing the operator to handle the DTG3 from the comfort of their home or office. BRIDGE software also allows the operator to manage and control multiple instances of DTG3 at once. Precision thrusters on the DTG3 also use BRIDGE’s algorithms to determine thruster output to assist the DTG3 in maintaining its position and depth in rough underwater conditions. The DTG3 can also be customised with different manipulator tools such as grabbers, claws or water samplers to get different tasks done in different environments. 

The DTG3 can be applied to many areas such as underwater remains search or search and rescue, and thus should be used as a base for development of new underwater drones be it recreational or professional purposes. However, critics argue that there are certain drawbacks to further developing underwater drones.

The DTG3 proved its usefulness in ”Making the Invisible Visible: Underwater Malta—A Virtual Museum for Submerged Cultural Heritage” (Gambin et al. 2021), the DTG3 was used to aid in the search of ancient underwater remains. The DTG3 was equipped with side scan sonars to transmit acoustic waves(or sound waves). The waves are reflected off the seabed, and areas which the sound waves fail to propagate are called acoustic shadows. These areas of shadows may form due to disruption or physical structures, which hint at the possibility of cultural remains nearby. The rover’s arsenal of lights accompanied by a 4k camera provide further insight into the target areas. This enables the DTG3’s operator to obtain enhanced images with colour precision regardless of light conditions or clarity of the water. To facilitate better navigation within the area, it also comes with a two-thruster propulsion system.  Deep Trekker webpage ”PRECISION THRUSTER | DTG3”,(Deep Trekker, 2022) goes into further detail about these thrusters, which enable the rover to perform precise vertical movements or maintain a certain depth while conducting surveys. All these features of the DTG3 assist in the preliminary investigations of the site which then allows divers to further plan inspection surveys upon the confirmation of underwater cultural remains.

 

The DTG3 also has the potential to assist in the efforts of underwater search and rescue. In his report “BUILD OF A LOW-COST PROTOTYPE ROV FOR SEARCH AND RESCUE” (Paul, 2021), Paul discusses how deep diving is a common practice when it comes to water rescue. However, such forms of search and rescue have proven to be disadvantageous. Rescuers require oxygen, and the best oxygen tanks can last up to 6 hours at max. Rescuers also have to combat strong currents, low depth conditions and sometimes may have to swim in waters with low light intensity, hindering their vision and perception. The DTG3 can overcome these operation limitations(Paul,2021 slide 12). The DTG3 also does not require oxygen to operate as it has a battery which powers the drone for up to 8 hours.The floodlights and multibeam sonars of the DTG3 also help it to perceive areas with low light intensity. The DTG3 can also reach up to depths of 200 metres, a feat many divers struggle to accomplish with standard diving equipment. The precision thrusters and the BRIDGE software integrated into the DTG3(Deep Trekker, 2022.) help it maintain stability and make precise movements regardless of rough wave currents. The rover also has a water-linked underwater GPS so the operator can keep tabs on its movement underwater. The DTG3 can also be equipped with multi jaw grabbers or claws(Deep Trekker, 2022), allowing it to work with loads up to 25kg. This allows the DTG3 to remove obstacles that are hindering the search and rescue effort.

 

However, there have been several security concerns that critics have raised. The article “How underwater drones are threatening to escalate South China Sea tensions”(Valencia, 2016) discusses that unmanned drones can be abused to enter territorial seas and harbours undetected. An article by Kibeom “Problem with Operation of Underwater Drones''(Lee, 2017)also highlights the important difference between using drones for marine scientific research or using them for military purposes. He showcases a drone dispute between US and China and how the US may be questioned for the use of underwater drones near disputed waters.

 

To conclude, developing drones like the DTG3 may better aid rescuers in search and rescue or enhance the search for cultural remains underwater.

However, stricter regulations have to be enforced to limit drone use to scientific purposes and not be abused for military use or to invade territorial spaces.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Deep Trekker (2022) DTG3 ROV https://www.deeptrekker.com/products/underwater-rov/dtg3-b.

Gambin, T., Hyttinen, K., Sausmekat, M., & Wood, J. (2021). Making the Invisible Visible: Underwater Malta—A Virtual Museum for Submerged Cultural Heritage. Remote Sensing, 13(8), 1558. MDPI AG. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/rs13081558

Paul, J.P. (2020). BUILD OF A LOW-COST PROTOTYPE ROV FOR SEARCH AND RESCUE [PowerPoint presentation]. https://air.ashesi.edu.gh/server/api/core/bitstreams/f77b54fb-53a9-4d53-aef5-3d2070d48e05/content

Deep Trekker (2022) Precision Thruster | DTG3 https://www.deeptrekker.com/shop/products/precision-thruster

Valencia, M. (2016, Apr 28) How underwater drones are threatening to escalate South China Sea tensions. South China Morning Post  https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1939529/how-underwater-drones-are-threatening-escalate-south-china?module=perpetual_scroll_0&pgtype=article&campaign=1939529

 

Lee, K.(2017). Problem with Operation of Underwater Drones: From International Legal Perspective KIMS Periscope (72) https://en.kims.or.kr/issubrief/kims-periscope/peri72/

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Descriptive Reflection/Letter of intro

    Dear Professor Brad,                                              I would like to take this time to introduce myself. In doing so, I hope to better familiarize myself with you and my course mates and also reflect on what motivated me to start pursuing robotics as a career choice. Hopefully this reflection will help inspire and motivate me to persevere and persist for the next four years. I graduated with a mechatronics diploma from Temasek Polytechnic, but mostly performed rather poorly and only came to my senses in the final year of poly.  Prior to university, I refined my mechanical skills in a automated door systems company for about 5 months. I was also given an opportunity to enhance my communication skills in a recruiting firm for 7 months till I was called to serve the nation for 2 years. After slogging through national Service ...
Read more

Paraphrasing a phrase from Marc Riemer, Faculty of Engineering, Monash University (2007)

What he says: • “Communication skills are an essential component in the education of engineering students to facilitate not just students’ education but also to prepare them for their future careers.” Marc Riemer, Faculty of Engineering, Monash University (2007) What I think he is trying to say: According to Marc Riemer, from the faculty of engineering of Monash University in 2007, Communication is a fundamental part in the cultivation of Engineering undergraduates to enrich not just their learning experience but also to get them ready for their future vocations.
Read more

Thoughts about the importance of critical thinking and effective communication.

After reading the excerpt, it further reinforces the idea that being able to think critically and communicate effectively are important leadership traits. Poor communication and lack of engagement with employees will often result in misunderstandings and doubts. These misunderstandings may result in severe losses for the organisation. Communication without critical thinking will just make one's opinions seem unreasonable and senseless.   It's like trying to bake a cake without a recipe . When trying to express an idea, you have to be logical and relevant when doing so or your words will not hold any weight. An example I can link back to will be the time when I was serving national service. There was a training mission when we are almost wiped out by enemy forces. This is due to the improper communication and lack of critical thinking between both the commanders and their troopers. Most of us were unable to make sound decisions as the battlefield was constantly evolvin...
Read more