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VideoRay ROV Sends Back Spectacular Images of Bizarre Undersea Life Near South Pole - October 19, 2007

A key part of NSF project “SCINI”, underwater robot takes its first dive

On October 17th, the VideoRay microROV made its first dive under the ice near McMurdo Station, Antarctica, sending images of undersea life few would expect in this extremely cold and seemingly desolate continent. See the Project S.C.I.N.I. blog and the PolarTREC expedition blog for an account of the dive, and pictures both above and below the ice.

VideoRay has played a major role in the S.C.I.N.I. project (Submersible Capable of under Ice Navigation and Imaging) for the last few years. Led by Stacy Kim of Moss Landing Marine Laboratory and Bob Zook, “Chief Gizmologist” on the S.C.I.N.I. Project, and funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation, the project has involved the development of a special ROV to penetrate thick ice through small holes. Marcus Kolb, VideoRay’s Director of Research and Development, serving on the design and implementation team brought a standard VideoRay along to act as a backup and “dive buddy”. Though it cannot pass through the tiny (around 15cm / 6 inch) holes that the S.C.I.N.I. ROV was developed to explore, the VideoRay was successfully deployed through the dive hut hole in a test of the project’s navigation system, bringing back startling photos from this extreme environment.

Further developments can be followed in the coming weeks on the blogs. Other underwater polar projects are in process – see http://www.polartrec.com/ – but none are currently equipped with functioning ROVs.

About VideoRay:
With more than 2,000 Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) in service around the world, VideoRay has clearly become the global leader in Observation ROV technology. VideoRay is an extremely versatile, portable, affordable, and reliable solution for underwater operations including surveys, offshore inspections, search & recovery, homeland & port security, science & research, fish farming, and other unique applications in underwater environments. “Plug and play” technology allows you to quickly attach sensors and accessories in the field so you can successfully complete your mission. VideoRay is available on the General Services Administration.

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WHY VIDEORAY?

AFFORDABILITY

With ROVs starting under $10,000 (in the US), the cost is quickly justified when compared to commercial dive missions or funding the purchase, mobilization, staffing, and operation of larger ROVs.

PORTABILITY

One person can transport the tiny 8-pound sub, control box and tether. The Scout system weighs less than 70 pounds and packs neatly in one rolling Pelican case. All other systems fit in two Pelican cases that can be transported in a car trunk or helicopter, or checked as airline baggage.

USABILITY

Driving the VideoRay is similar to operating a video game. A specially trained ROV pilot is not needed. (In fact, kids raised on video games routinely put adults to shame piloting VideoRay.). VideoRay is equally at home with a search and rescue team as it is with a yacht owner enjoying live views of a coral reef in St. Thomas. Additional controls on advanced models include front camera focus and tilt, rear camera selection and automatic depth holding (see the product detail pages for complete lists of features and capabilities of each model).

SAFETY

Since VideoRay uses less than 500 watts of power, a car or marine battery with inverter, small gasoline generator, or any 100-240 VAC outlet powers the control box and submersible. The current running through the tether to the submersible is a comparatively safe 48 VDC, rather than the possibly lethal 360-plus VDC used by other ROVs. This makes it safe for divers to handle the submersible in the water, and for kids to swim with it in a pool.

REACH

Standard tether lengths vary by model, but additional neutral, negative, and positively buoyant tethers can be added to extend the overall reach of the VideoRay up to 1,100 feet. Tethers are available in a variety of lengths to meet the needs of particular water conditions or projects.