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ReefBot Incorporates VideoRay Pro 4 ROV Technology Into Educational Exhibit - December 15, 2010

The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium’s ReefBot Program Introduces an Educational Aquarium Exhibit and Platform for Developing Novel Robotic Technology. Photos: Paul Selvaggio

ReefBot is a Pittsburgh-based team of robotics engineers, aquarists and professionals that, in collaboration with the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University and the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, recently developed a unique children’s aquarium exhibit featuring ROV and novel robotic technology at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. The exhibit – ReefBot: An Underwater Adventure – has a dual role as (1) an interactive platform for educating the public about coral reef biodiversity and conservation and (2) a platform for developing underwater robotic technology for use in field research and exploration.

At the heart of the ReefBot exhibit is the tethered submersible CLEO (Children Learning through Exploration and Observation), which swims in the Aquarium’s Open Oceans Habitat. CLEO is custom version of the VideoRay Pro 4 ROV , modified to accommodate an on-board 1080P HD camera, and sporting a redesigned ReefBot shell. The CLEO ROV is unique in that it displays underwater streaming video in HD and utilizes smart camera fish recognition technology (developed by robotics grad students at Carnegie Mellon’s Robotics Institute) to actively learn the fish species in the Aquarium’s Open Oceans Habitat.

The Reefbot Exhibit experience can be summarized as follows. Aquarium visitors control CLEO from an external control station using simple joysticks and buttons. They see what CLEO “sees” on a colorful panel display in front of them, or on one of the three large display screens mounted near the Open Oceans Habitat. Visitors can then take a picture of a fish they are following or are interested in, and match that fish with a photograph of the appropriate species to learn information about the species, as well as facts about coral reefs and worldwide reef conservation efforts. This interaction helps CLEO to actively ‘learn” the fish species in the Habitat.

The ReefBot Exhibit was launched in December of 2010 and is expected to remain at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium for several years. Throughout this time, the ReefBot Exhibit will be used as a platform for the continuing development of smart camera technology as well as other robotic technology that will ultimately be used in the field to assist researchers and scientists as they explore and study coral reef habitats throughout the world. To that end, ReefBot is currently seeking partners and building relationships with various ocean research and conservation organizations.

For more information on the ReefBot Exhibit and ReefBot’s mission, please contact:

Justine Kasznica
781.413.1230
mailto:justine@reefbot.com

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE

PRESS RELEASE FROM CARNEGIE MELLON’S ROBOTICS INSTITUTE

Justine Kasznica

ReefBot Program Manager Justine Kasznica opens the exhibit at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aqarium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Photo: Paul Selvaggio

CLEO

The Heart of the Exhibit – CLEO (Children Learning through Exploration and Observation) is a tethered VideoRay Pro 4 submersible modified with a 1080p HD camera and “Smart Camera” Fish Recognition Technology. Photo: Paul Selvaggio

CLEO ROV Interface

The Control Platform for CLEO has simple joysticks, provides a live HD video feed, and can take still images of the marine life it encounters while performing its main function of educating the visitors. Photo: Paul Selvaggio

Reefbot Crew

The minds behind the ReefBot Program – Front holding CLEO: Ashley Kidd, Aquarist, Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. Front right: Justine Kasznica, ReefBot Program Manager. Back row left to right: David Wettergreen, Faculty Advisor, Associate Professor, CMU Robotics Institute; John Thornton, Senior Research Engineer, CMU Robotics Institute; Mark Desnoyer, PhD Student, CMU Robotics Institute; Scott Moreland, PhD Student, CMU Robotics Institute. Not Pictured: Mike Furlong, PhD Student, CMU Robotics Institute; Sara Shutler, Interior Design Student, Art Institute of Pittsburgh Photo: Paul Selvaggio

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.