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VIPS Presentations
Displays
Stop by these displays that will be accessible at various times throughout VIPS.
Micro-ROV Certification Program
VideoRay
Learn about the developing VideoRay Micro-ROV certification program for pilots, supervisors, technicians and instructors.
GTO Test Drive
VideoRay
"Faster than a speeding bullet..." Okay, that might be an exaggeration, but we're sure that when you see it you'll be suitable impressed. The VideoRay GTO (Greater Thrust Option) more than doubles the thrust of a standard VideoRay Pro III and enables it to leap out of the water. Now that's an impressive sight you just have to see. Buckle Up - you're gonna love this ride...
Gadgets and Gizmos
All VIPS Attendees
Bring your best home-made VideoRay accessory and show it off. On display will be the "Jaws" manipulator, various protective cages and attachments, the latest product upgrades now shipping with new VideoRays, and more. Everyone who brings in their favorite accessory for display will receive a VideoRay Underwater Robotic Specialist T-Shirt, and the winner of the coolest accessory - as determined by popular vote - will take home a special prize.
The Internet Is My Tether
VideoRay
Introduced to the public at VIPS 2004, controlling VideoRays over the Internet or wireless connections offers unique benefits. Experience the potential first-hand and be sure to tell the folks back home to tune in (via a web browser) and watch your mission unfold before them live.
VIPS Exhibition
VideoRay and VIPS Sponsors
VideoRay and VIPS Sponsors will be exhibiting and demonstrating some of their latest technology. You'll want to stop by and see what's available from VideoRay, Desert Star, BlueView Technologies and Tritech.
VIPS Store
VideoRay
Visit the VIPS Store for some of the best deals you'll ever experience on parts and accessories. Visit the VIPS Store catalog preview and plan to take home more than memories.
VideoRay Keynotes
Go behind the scenes with VideoRay and hear about the industry and future directions of Micro-ROVs.
VideoRay and the World of Micro-ROVs
Scott Bentley - VideoRay
Scott Bentley, President of VideoRay, delivers his ever-popular annual presentation: "The State of the Micro-ROV Industry and VideoRay." Starting with a recap of 2005, Scott quickly moves on to describe the industry and technology trends that are sure to have an impact in 2006. You won't want to miss this one. Subject to time constraints, a question and answer session will follow this presentation.
VideoRay Research and Development Reports
Marcus Kolb - VideoRay
With the commercial launch of the new GTO (Greater Thrust Option), Marcus Kolb, Director of R&D at VideoRay, has already returned to the drawing board and is hard at work designing and testing the next generation of Micro-ROV technologies. Come learn what might be in store for future models of VideoRay and what will probably not make the cut.
Classroom Seminars
Experienced users share some of their best stories, pictures and video from some very exciting operations.
Wide Area Search Under Ice
Tom Crossmon - St. Louis County (MN) Rescue Squad
Dave Phillips - Office of the Sheriff, St. Louis County (MN)
In January of 2005, the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office and Rescue Squad undertook an intense search for the body of a missing boater in Spirit Lake. The catch was that the lake was completely frozen over. Holes, which were arranged in a grid pattern, were cut in the ice and radial searches were conducted from each hole using VideoRays. The search team operated 6 VideoRays simultaneously and tracked each one using an acoustic positioning system. This presentation will give insights into large scale operations, coordinating multiple operators and systems, backups and operating in extremely cold environments.
VideoRay in the Great Lakes--Many Missions--Many Problems Solved!
Mark Gleason - Michigan Technological University
Tag along on the VideoRay adventures of Michigan Technical University over last two years. Mark Gleason of MTU will be your guide as he recounts a variety of missions including, the study of four shipwrecks (including getting trapped twice), the famous moose footage, fish habitats studies and three deep dives, one to 830 feet and two to 1,300 feet, all with the VideoRay. Mark operated his VideoRay from a number of different ships including from a Tall-Ship, the 137 foot long sailing vessel Denis Sullivan, and the largest Great Lakes research ship, the Lake Guardian, as well as smaller boats. Learn about problems faced on these missions and how they were solved.
Lessons Learned while Using Micro-ROVs for Port Security and other Coast Guard Applications
CWO Craig Thorngren - United States Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team
The United States Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team from Seattle, Washington will present some of their findings of what works best, what doesn't work and what they wish for after two plus years of Micro-ROV use in various unclassified operations and applications.
Moving towards Autonomy
Chris Clark - University of Waterloo
Motivated to increase efficiency in underwater biological sampling applications, researchers from the Lab for Autonomous and Intelligent Robotics at the University of Waterloo are investigating the use of equipping Micro-ROVs with autonomous capabilities. After acquiring a VideoRay Pro III in June of 2005, we began several projects that aim to use the Pro III for deploying autonomous vehicle formations, integration within a cabled observatory, and autonomous fish tracking. In this talk, progress of this work will be described including dynamics modeling, Inertial Measurement Unit integration, vision-processing, and finally removing the tether. Although still in its infancy, this project promises to add new capabilities to existing VideoRay ROVs, thereby allowing future sampling tasks to be accomplished without an operator.
What to Do if when You Have a Bad Day
Steve Van Meter - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Take it from someone who's a certified expert in bad days - it's bound to happen sooner or later. Learn how quickly it can happen and how to recover and get back into operation. See how to solve everything from a broken conductor in your tether, a stuck and knotted tether, a leak, component failures, to the ultimate bad day of losing the ROV - yes, it does happen, and yes, like Steve, you can survive.
Recent Developments of a Total Unmanned System
Kamiya Tsuyoshi - Yamaha Motor Company, Ltd.
Yamaha first proposed an integrated unmanned system two years ago, and has since introduced three unmanned vehicle prototypes: Unmanned Marine Vehicle (UMV), Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) and Unmanned Arial Vehicle (UAV). After that, Yamaha has further integrated some onboard application devices, such as VideoRay, and also performed total unmanned system demonstration last year. This report shows recent developing of total unmanned system, and possibility for practical applications in the near future.
The Universal Navigator: How to Choose the Best Positioning Configuration for Each Job
Marco Flagg - Desert Star Systems
Neptune's realm holds many positioning challenges - but with a well honed arsenal of positioning capabilities for your VideoRay, you will be the confident navigator of the deep on every job. Be it the need for a quick splash-down in hot pursuit of a smuggler, a meticulous survey so well founded it will floor a jury in the court of law or science, or an inspection of that challenging underwater structure, 'AquaMap Universe' provides the right answer. The system incorporates both precision long baseline (LBL) and rapid-deployment short baseline (SBL) capabilities, allowing you to switch gears to fir any job. This session describes how to evaluate the characteristics of a job even before you arrive on site, then tool your gear for most effective positioning on the site.
Basic Maintenance, Calibration and Troubleshooting Diagnostic Techniques
Brett Kolb - VideoRay
Every Micro-ROV user - pilot, technician and supervisor - needs to know what's covered in this presentation. Learn how to care for VideoRays, and how to troubleshoot and fix simple problems.
VideoRay in Natural Resources Education
Mark Gleason - Michigan Technological University
Mark Gleason of MTU has been conducting research involving the public and school age groups as they explore the underwater world of the Great Lakes region. ROVs can open up new territories, sights and insights to a wide range of people, not just the operators. Three of the Great Lakes, as well as many smaller lakes, have been visited during the course of the study. Over 500 young people have operated the Micro-ROV and hundreds of adults have seen it in operation in a number of environments from wet lands to deeper lakes. Mark is learning how ROVs can help people see sights unseen and better understand their natural resources.
Manned Undersea Stations & Micro-ROVs
Chris Olstad, Marine Resources Development Foundation
Living underwater - background and application of manned undersea habitats and how Micro-ROVs can be used in conjunction with them.
VideoRay PC Pilot
Brett Kolb, VideoRay
VideoRay PC Pilot allows operators to free themselves from the confines of the control box and customize the control interface to their liking. If you haven't seen PC Pilot, this session should be added to your personal VIPS schedule. You'll learn how to set up PC Pilot and get some hands-on practice time with various joystick devices. Using digital video recording on the PC will be demonstrated as well.
Lateral Inspections at the Panama Canal
Tom Glebas, VideoRay
To this day, the Panama Canal remains one of the engineering marvels of the world. Experience an insider's behind-the-scenes tour of lock operations and see how VideoRay is being put to use in an environment where every minute contributes to supporting 5% the world's trade.
Micro-ROV Diving the Gulf Stream Currents
Steve Van Meter - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NOVA University School of Oceanography has been using a VideoRay to monitor fish species on artificial reefs off Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The conditions there are less than ideal with depths ranging from 200-400 feet and 2-4 knot currents. Learn about the special gear and techniques developed for this study and how they might apply to other applications. Also discussed will be the current results of this on-going project.
- Attend the afternoon working session on ROV handing in currents.
VideoRay in Hydro-Power Plants in Norway
Henning Føsker - Norconsult
Norconsult has used VideoRay for inspections of tunnels, gates and dams for several years. VideoRay has proved to be an effective tool for inspections of objects in hydro-power plants and makes Norconsult more competitive in the market. The size of the ROV is offering accessibility and camera angels that few other inspection platforms can. It has been used to inspect long tunnels where neither divers nor industrial ROVs could be used - divers for obvious safety reasons, industrial ROVs for space limitations. Under water construction work at Vrangfoss hydro-power plant has been monitored by VideoRay this summer and is scheduled to be completed by the time of VIPS. It has been used to monitor lowering of stop logs in front of a jammed, partially open gate where the use of divers would be unthinkable.
Ground Truthing with Micro-ROVs
Doug Levin - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
An intensive bottom mapping effort is underway in the Chesapeake Bay by the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office Benthic Mapping Team, which consists of, Steve Giordano, Jay Lazar and Doug Levin. This program involves acoustic mapping of targeted tributaries in the bay using side scan sonar, echosounders, benthic classification tools, and sub bottom profilers. Ground truthing by VideoRay and benthic sampling is being performed to validate habitat type and describe the varied bottom types and associated community structure. This information will be compiled into a GIS resource to assist with Fisheries Management decision processes.
Different Tanks - Different Deployment Techniques
Jim Wickizer - J&S Utility Consultants
Tank inspections can vary with every job. Like people, tanks come in all shapes and sizes - concrete, steel, elevated, buried... Each one requires a well thought out strategy in order to conduct an efficient and comprehensive inspection. Learn about the varieties of tanks and how to approach each one confidently.
- Attend the VIPS Tank Inspection Mini-School and participate in an actual tank inspection.
How to Use Streaming Sonar Imagery with Your VideoRay to Detect, Quickly Navigate to, and Identify Targets on the Sea Bottom and Ship Hulls
Lee Thompson, PhD - BlueView Technologies, Inc.
High-definition, streaming sonar imagery produced by BlueView's compact imaging sonar dramatically increases the operational capabilities of VideoRay systems. This real-time, movie-like imagery opens up opportunities and applications to VideoRay systems that were until now reserved for much larger medium class vehicles. This seminar will describe how real-time streaming sonar imagery can be used to help find or reacquire targets faster, navigate a VideoRay with more confidence, document your operations, and simplify many missions. Example sonar imagery collected from ProViewer sonar units during activities such as bottom target searches and hull inspections will be presented and discussed. Users will be shown how to interpret the imagery and utilize this unique new tool for target detection and navigation. Techniques for navigating the ROV with the sonar onboard the vehicle as well as offboard the vehicle will be discussed.
- Attend the BlueView demonstration in the afternoon working session.
Adventures in Micro-ROVing
Steve Van Meter - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Since VIPS of 04, Steve Van Meter has been one busy guy. Gather round to hear Steve discuss his travels circling the globe - not once, but twice - looking for Micro-ROV adventures. Many of you know Steve is a highly skilled Micro-ROV pilot, award winning photographer, and can tell a good story or two. This time, he's got a lot of material to work with, including: Cheating death at water intakes for a refinery in Aruba and on offshore oil platforms, freezing in Baltimore, fighting gulf stream currents, Coast Guard training, airport culvert running, checking out the space station, saving the US Open (as if that alone is not enough to keep a guy busy), Thailand Tsunami recovery, Vietnam redo, outback in Tasmania and things in-between. We joke with Steve that wherever he goes, he buys two tickets - one for him, and one for his VideoRay so it's always close by.
Murder, My Dear Watson: How to Conduct a Seafloor Survey that Sherlock Holmes Would Admire
Marco Flagg - Desert Star Systems
From environmental impact evaluations of fish processing factories in the Bering Sea, to long-term studies of the health of reefs in the Virgin Islands - there are many jobs that demand a precise study of the undersea terrain. This session provides a peek preview of the upcoming AquaMap Seafloor configuration, which is currently in the beta test stage. AquaMap Seafloor will position your sub with a typical accuracy of 0.3m, while painting a trace that documents exactly where you have been. The talk includes a look at current precision sea floor work conducted with the system, from unexploded ordnance searches to archeological studies.
- Attend the AquaMap Seafloor demonstration in the afternoon working session.
VideoRay - Soaking Up Some Science
Kristy Loman Chiodo - Robinson High School, Tampa, FL
Kristy Loman Chiodo has initiated a pilot program involving high school teachers and students to explore ocean engineering through ROVs. Bringing VideoRay into the classroom inspires students to explore career opportunities including engineering, technology, research, and ocean exploration. Using VideoRay as a multi-faceted teaching tool that appeals to a broad range of interests and many types of learners, teachers are able to bring to life the basic concepts being taught within the classroom and demonstrates their practical real world application. Learn how schools are integrating VideoRay into existing curricula or as after-school programs, and how you can help in your community.
- You can build a school project ROV in the afternoon working session.
Tank Inspection Piloting Techniques
Penny Allds - J&S Utility Consultants
With years of experience and hundreds of successful tank inspections behind her, Penny Allds will offer practical tips for planning, setting up, executing and preparing final reports for tank inspections. Learn how easy it is to get into trouble, and more importantly, how to get out of it or avoid it in the first place.
- Attend the VIPS Tank Inspection Mini-School and participate in an actual tank inspection.
VideoRay Software Development Round Table
Marcus Kolb - VideoRay
This round table discussion will delve into the VideoRay control software and discuss the future development and integration opportunities that exist.
Ocean as Aquarium: VideoRay Used As an Aquarium Display
Edward Seidel - Marine Resources Aquarium
Aquariums are always looking for novel ways of displaying and educating the public about aquatic animals and plants. They also explore ways of using underutilized resources at their institutions and turning them into exhibits. At the Marine Resources Aquarium, there is a dock that is located near the aquarium but was never used by the public. The Aquarium came upon the idea of using a Micro-ROV to educate the public about how ROVs are used in science, as well as explore the rich and vibrant aquatic life under the dock. In this presentation, Ed Seidel we will share the experiences and findings, and discuss how they plan to expand and improve the exhibit in the future.
Out of Sight, but Not Out of Mind: The Inspection of Ship Hulls and Underwater Structures
Marco Flagg - Desert Star Systems
For centuries, the skippers concern ended at the water line. While guards may be have been posted on deck, any damage fixed on the spot and new coats of paint applied in a ritual as old as seafaring itself; the diligence stopped where the water began. Yet, new threats and liabilities alike have increased the need for underwater inspections, all the while new technology has made the job practical as never before. VideoRay in conjunction with the AquaMap ShipHull system is an easy to use and increasingly popular solution for the job. This session looks at the application of VideoRay in the 'vertical environment', both on hulls and on dams. The techniques for precisely controlling the quality of your survey, annotating findings and preparing an inspection report are discussed.
The Use of Micro-ROV and GPS Technology to Map Capelin Spawning Beds in Newfoundland Waters
John Wheeler - Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans uses a VideoRay, coupled with a LinkQuest acoustic tracking system, to delineate the perimeter of demersal capelin spawning beds. This presentation describes the techniques and the importance of this research to the understanding of capelin population dynamics. The session includes additional video footage from VideoRay that has been collected over the past four years, depicting the marine flora and fauna of Newfoundland waters.
Improving Capabilities and Skills while Inspecting Tanks
Daniel Stewart - Dasco Equipment
Learn the "lessons learned" and other practical operating tips from the experiences of Dasco Equipment when they inspected nine water storage tanks over the past two months. Tank designs, construction materials, ROV set up configurations and logistics all varied from tank to tank providing some interesting challenges and "opportunities" for innovative spur-of-the-moment solutions. A large amount of the information presented applies to other ROV applications, and this presentation focuses on getting jobs done and keeping ones sanity in the process.
VideoRay Autopilot - Making It Easier for the Operator
Matko Barisic and Nikola Miskovic - University of Zagreb
Experiences with Micro-ROVs have shown that they can be quite difficult for the operator to perform inspections and/or observations in waters where disturbances such as currents, exist. Learning to keep a submersible on a steady course is a strenuous job and can be frustrating. After having performed inspections on hydro-power plant dams in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia, the University of Zagreb has concluded that it would be beneficial for the operator to use an autopilot. Moreover, this design is also fundamental for one part of our research project called "RoboLab - guidance and control of automated marine laboratory" financed by the Ministry of science, education and sports of Republic of Croatia. During long hours of work with VideoRay, it is possible to relieve the operator by using heading autopilot that is auto-tunable and can learn from behavior of the submersible while cruising on course. Among others, fuzzy self-learning autopilots fit in this category. Approaches that would be demonstrated are:
- Course following (getting from one operating point (heading) to another, i.e. manipulating the submersible in horizontal plane) and
- Stabilization on a desired heading (keeping desired heading while encountering disturbances).
- Attend a demonstration of VideoRay Autopilot in the afternoon working session.
Working Sessions
Grab your sunscreen - participation is highly encouraged in these in-the-field sessions.
VideoRay GTO Upgrade and Maintenance Procedures
Bill McGurney and Brett Kolb - VideoRay
If you purchased a GTO upgrade at VIPS, you won't want to miss this hand-on working session. You'll learn how to perform the upgrade yourself (or you can watch the factory technicians do it), and how to care for and maintain your GTO. If you didn't purchase a GTO at VIPS, but think you may want to in the future, you should definitely attend this session
VideoRay 'lympics
Andy Glebas, VideoRay, Tim Crossmon, St. Louis County, MN
Visit this skills competition and see how well you can pilot a VideoRay - Prizes will be awarded to the "Top Gun" pilots.
A Picture Is Worth... the Entire Mission!
Marcus Kolb - VideoRay
One of the most dynamic technologies Micro-ROV operators need to keep up with in the world of underwater searches and inspections has nothing to do with water. Often what was observed needs to be presented to someone else. From the simple VCR to the most sophisticated digital video editing, there are so many options it's hard to keep current. Each method has its strengths and weaknesses: cost, resolution, portability, usability, media cost, acceptance by clients, system requirements, interface, and edit-ability to name a few. During this working session, various devices for displaying and/or capturing video and still images with a VideoRay will be demonstrated and the strengths and weaknesses of each will be explored.
Edu - ROVERs - Designing and Building ROVs for Education and Research
Kristy Loman Chiodo - Robinson High School, Tampa, FL
Doug Levin - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Teachers are always looking for novel, interdisciplinary approaches to teaching complex science, mathematics, or technology topics to our future generations. ROVs are a practical application of physics, computer science, engineering, and mathematics. By studying ROVs students gain a deeper understanding of complex topics and realize a purpose for the content knowledge in these disciplines. Kristy will demonstrate how students are acquiring hands-on experience in design, construction, and problem solving while bridging the important relationship between science and technology. This instructional method encourages students to make connections across several disciplines rather than learning topics in isolation. Participants in this working session will experience the motivation and active learning style of designing and building ROVs! Experience first-hand what opportunities are being offered to students and learn how you can help in your community.
Target Detection, Tracking, and ROV Vectoring Using Multi-beam Imaging Sonar
Lee Thompson, PhD - BlueView Technologies, Inc.
This session will be a hands-on follow up demonstration to Dr. Lee Thompson's seminar "How to Use Streaming Sonar Imagery with Your VideoRay to Detect, Quickly Navigate to, and Identify Targets on the Sea Bottom and Ship Hulls." See demonstrations of how real-time streaming sonar imagery can be used to help find or reacquire targets faster, navigate a VideoRay with more confidence, document your operations, and simplify many missions. Participate in and discuss bottom target searches, vectoring your ROV to a target and target detection and tracking. Techniques for navigating the ROV with the sonar onboard the vehicle as well as off board the vehicle will be demonstrated. Users will be shown how to interpret the imagery and utilize this unique new tool make your ROV missions more efficient and successful.
Tame that Current!
Steve Van Meter
Current - the Micro-ROV pilots nemesis. If you work in rivers, coastal areas or offshore, at some point you're sure to face the challenges of operating in a current. In this working session, you'll get to attempt and practice a variety of strategies and techniques that are sure to build your expertise and confidence. Try weights, drifting and other impromptu ideas to learn what works, what doesn't and why, so that you'll be ready for your next in-current operation.
Using AquaMap Seafloor
Marco Flagg - Desert Star Systems
Learn how to deploy Desert Star's newest positioning system and operate a VideoRay to conduct underwater search tasks.
Who Turned Out the Lights? Navigating in Low Visibility
Dave Phillips and Tom Crossmon - St. Louis County, MN
Reduced visibility is one of the most stressful situations for new and experienced pilots alike. Sonar and positioning systems each offer unique advantages to overcome the difficulties. In this session, you'll get to try these technologies and practice several techniques to improve your piloting skills.
Managing Tether to Avoid Snags and Tangles
CWO Chief Thorngren - USCG and Steve Van Meter - NASA
Nothing can spoil a Micro-ROV pilot's day faster than getting the ROV stuck. Situational awareness and careful tether management can help to keep you from getting in trouble in the first place, but what are the best practices and what can you do when, despite your every effort, you still get stuck? Attend this session to learn from others and share your experiences and ideas.
VideoRay New User Primer
Tom Crossmon - St. Louis County (MN) Rescue Squad
Dave Phillips - Office of the Sheriff, St. Louis County (MN)
The perfect starting place for the new user, this hands-on presentation explains each component and instructs you on how to set up and operate your VideoRay. Gain skills and confidence quickly when you learn from an experienced pilot and instructor.
VideoRay Autopilot Demonstration
Matko Barisic and Nikola Miskovic - University of Zagreb
See how VideoRay Autopilot performs in the real world. Learn what the future of Micro-ROV piloting has in store for you.
Side Scan Sonar Primer
Tom Crossmon - St. Louis County (MN) Rescue Squad
Dave Phillips - Office of the Sheriff, St. Louis County (MN)
Side Scan sonar is a complementary underwater technology that can assist in the early phases of a wide area underwater search to identify likely targets and reduce the search perimeter. In this working session, participants will learn how side scan sonar works and use it and VideoRay to do some bottom mapping and verification.
Advanced Micro-ROV Maintenance
Bill McGurney - VideoRay
Learn advanced diagnostic and maintenance procedures according to factory specifications. In this session, participants will disassemble and reassemble a VideoRay for a very detailed look at the mechanical and electronic workings of the system.
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