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M-Rover


The NA&ME department's underwater remote operated vehicle, M-ROVER, is a state-of-the-art Benthos Openframe Sea Rover designed for research, educational projects, and service throughout the Great Lakes and coastal oceans.

M-ROVER can be operated from many different platforms, including research vessels, docks and piers, and from shore. Its principal platform is the University of Michigan's Research Vessel Laurentian, operated by the University's Center for Great Lakes and Aquatic Sciences. From this platform, M-ROVER is able to explore any point in the Great Lakes, and can be operated from a variety of platforms with certain weather and sea state limitations. Limiting conditions are determined by the Engineer/Operator that accompanies the vehicle on every mission. Once the vehicle is waterborne, the Engineer/Operator has sole discretion as to operational limitations. Penetration of any underwater object requires prior approval.

M-ROVER is transported to various field locations by a Ford CF-7000 Cargo truck, donated to the department by Ford Motor Company Heavy Truck Division. This truck is used to transport M-ROVER and all its supporting equipment.

During the past years, Professor Guy A. Meadows and the Ocean Engineering Laboratory staff have used M-ROVER for a variety of research projects, including the investigation of zebra mussel encroachment on shipwrecks and for the recovery of lost instrument tripods for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory in Lakes Michigan and Superior; and most recently, the investigation of algal mats in the Central North Pacific under NSF funding.





SPECIFICATIONS

Capabilities:

  • Three-function articulated arm for selective sampling
  • High resoultion, low light color video imaging
  • Three modes of high resolution sonar imaging
  • Optically corrected, high quality 35 mm still photography
  • Additional in-water payload capacity of 100 pounds
  • Depth capability to 450 meters (1,485 feet)

Performance:

  • Propulsion system with four horizontal thrusters and two vertical thrusters in a vertran configuration
  • Speeds up to 3-knots on the surface and 3/4 knot in the vertical and lateral (left and right) directions
  • Ability to turn on its own axis and move laterally and vertically while maintaining heading
  • Ability to hover motionless in light to moderate currents

M-ROVER's stability and open-frame construction allow a multitude of add-on possibilities. The ROV uses 208-220 VAC, 3-phase power with a requirement of up to 10 kW. It is equipped with an autopilot that allows automatic depth control (served from a pressure transducer), automatic altitude control (served from a down-looking sonar), and magnetic course and vehicle orientation, which provide a constant field of view and free operator for more detailed operations.

A three-function articulated arm has elbow, wrist, and jaw movements. This allows selective sampling of the sea floor, and light work tasks, including cutting of lines and light cables.

The Simrad MS 900 high resolution color imaging sonar includes:
  • High resoultion 675 kHz imaging
  • Eight-color display
  • Polar or linear modes (including sidescan mode). The Polar mode can show a complete 360 degree image, or be limited to any desired sector.
  • Variable scan speed from slow to extra fast
  • Magnifier and threshold control for increased image enhancement
  • Computer interface for digital output

The integrated viewing system allows excellent underwater viewing capabilities. Features include:

  • High resolution, pan/tilt. low light color video camera
  • Horizontal field of view of 95 degrees, vertical field of view of 75 degrees
  • Three axis joystick control of video camera for quick operator response
  • Vehicle heading and azimuth displayed on video screen
  • Two 150-watt quartz halogen lights
  • Resolution of 460 lines at 5 lux (0.5 foot-candles)

The high quality 35 mm camera includes:

  • Optically corrected underwater lens system
  • Film capacity of 500-700 exposures, depending on film thickness
  • Fully automated strobe lighting


CONTACT INFORMATION

M-ROVER is provided for a daily maintenance fee, plus the salary, travel expenses, and per diem of the Engineer/Operator. Cost of the platform is additional. The 80-foot, steel-hulled Research Vessel Laurentian, operated by the University of Michigan's Center for Great Lakes and Aquatic Sciences, is the platform from which M-ROVER is usually operated. Aboard the R/V Laurentian, M-ROVER is capable of exploring the deepest points in the Great Lakes.

For information on the coordinated use of M-ROVER and the R/V Laurentian, contact the Marine Superintendent, Center for Great Lakes and Aquatic Sciences, University of Michigan, 2200 Bonisteel Boulevard, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2099. Telephone 734/763-5393 or 734/763-3515.

For information on the use of M-ROVER independent of the R/V Laurentian, contact the Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, University of Michigan, 2600 Draper, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2145. Telephone 734/764-6470.
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University of Michigan
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