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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/M34348/01
Title: JREI UNMANNED UNDERWATER VEHICLE TESTBED FOR SUBSEA ROBOTICS COMMUNICATIONS & SONAR RESEARCH & TRAINING
Principal Investigator: Lane, Professor D
Other Investigators:
McHugh, Mr R Trucco, Professor E
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Heriot-Watt University Pre Nexus Migration
Department: Sch of Engineering and Physical Science
Organisation: Heriot-Watt University
Scheme: JREI
Starts: 01 June 1999 Ends: 31 May 2002 Value (£): 63,155
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Robotics & Autonomy Underwater Engineering
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Manufacturing
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
The proposal requests contributory funding for the purchase and operation of a small unmanned underwater vehicle testbed, with associated infrastructure for sensor interfaces, trials and live transmission on the Internet. The equipment will support research from 3 EPSRC/Industry and 5 EU/Industry collaborative projects in the Ocean Systems Laboratory, involving UK and European Industrial and University partners/sponsors. Enhanced collaboration opportunities between University Departments involving postgraduate and undergraduate students have also been identified, as well as use for industry short courses. Live internet transmission of video and other data during trials will be a crucial enhancement to this. The practical emphasis will assist us to demonstrate industrial relevance, and gain future industrial funds. Funding contributions are being made by one company and the University. The breakdown is 46% JREI (63.15K), 45% Industry (60.4K) and 9% University (12K). The projects are in the area of subsea robotics, autonomous underwater vehicles, acoustic communications and sonar design, which are clearly identified Technology Foresight priorities. The vehicle will be a small, low cost, British Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), the Offshore Hyball, that can be equipped with a modest payload, for experiment in the laboratory test tank or in sheltered open water. The vehicle will be equipped with a small manipulator and scanning sonar. Trials support contributed from the laboratory comprises a van, generators, container for transport and operations, a signal recording unit, a CTD probe, control/internet computers, and technician effort. Enhancements to the basic ROV are included to enable its use as a research tool in the laboratory and open water.
Key Findings
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Potential use in non-academic contexts
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Impacts
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Summary
Date Materialised
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Project URL:  
Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.hw.ac.uk