Robot submarine takes to the seas

A ROBOT submarine, the first of its kind built in this country, was put on trial at Limerick docks yesterday.

The Mobile & Marine Robotics Research Centre at the University of Limerick gave a demonstration of their new Remotely Operated Vehicle, ROV.

The underwater robot has been developed for ocean exploration and commercial operations.

Built at a cost of €1 million, the robot can be used in inshore waters and as far as the edge of the continental shelf at depths of 1,000m or more.

UL vice-president of research Prof Brian Fitzgerald said: “The development of this vehicle represents a large investment by state agencies in subsea survey platform technologies for testing and trialling new instrumentation and sensors. It further builds on the existing capability for survey and inspection operations within the state. I am delighted to be here to support the work of the Mobile & Marine Robotics Research Centre. It is wonderful to see the culmination of research efforts by this group, the only Underwater Marine Technology Research Centre in the Irish University sector, now resulting in a high-profile public event showcasing our research in this area at the University of Limerick. &&