Competition tests student-built robots on monitoring system

By on August 29, 2013
Before competing, students test their vehicles in the practice area of the pool. (Credit: MATE Center)

Before competing, students test their vehicles in the practice area of the pool. (Credit: MATE Center)


A robotics competition pitted teams of students against each other to see whose design was best suited for an underwater monitoring system installation, according to a National Science Foundation press release.

The competition was hosted by the Marine Advanced Technology Education Center. A total of 53 teams from 18 state and 12 countries faced-off with their robotic creations.

Each team had to complete tasks related to installing and maintaining seafloor monitoring technology.  They also had to present an engineering report to a judging panel and present their design to the public.

Two classes of ROVs competed.  EXPLORER class required more advanced robots while RANGER class was for intermediate competitors.  Jesuit High School of Carmichael, Calif., won first place in EXPLORER. St. Johns of Newfoundland, Canada and SeaTech 4-H Club of Mt. Vernon, Wash., took second and third places, respectively.  Aptos High School of Aptos, Calif., won first in the RANGER class. Heritage Collegiate of Lethbridge, Newfoundland, Canada and Great New Bedford Voc-Tech, from New Bedford, Mass. followed in second and third.

Image: Before competing, students test their vehicles in the practice area of the pool. (Credit: MATE Center)

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