DESCRIPTION: This workshop introduces participants to the SeaMATE TriggerFish ROV control system and the art of accomplishing both bi-directional motor speed control using the K-166 motor controller and precision piloting using joysticks (no programming required). Participants will also build the MATE Electrical Trainer, a printed circuit board that provides a platform for understanding common electrical components, practicing through-hole soldering, and introducing more advanced electronics, such as parallel and series circuits, pulse width modulation and more.

Workshop Objectives

• Create an ROV control system using joysticks and variable speed controllers and understand how these can be used to achieve precision piloting.
• Understand how printed circuit boards (PCB) and common electrical components can be combined to regulate motor speed.
• Demonstrate safe and effective techniques for through-hole soldering.
• Understand the benefits of and configurations for adding a fourth motor to a ROV.
• Design and build a functional manipulator using hand-powered syringe pneumatics.
• Waterproof and add basic sensors, such as cameras and temperature probes, to the ROV.
• Create a fully functional, joystick-controlled ROV capable of measuring water temperature and collecting samples from the “seafloor.”

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Educators who have experience building simple switch box ROV controllers or faculty who have a background teaching electronics, physics, or a related discipline. All faculty attending should have concrete plans to implement these activities in the following academic year. If you are new to ROV building, we recommend that you attend one of our regional short workshops (3 hours to 2 days)​.

Applications are due April 10th, but will be accepted until the workshop is full.