Hallin Marine, a Superior Energy Services company, reports that the Hallin sponsored BumbleBeeAUV team has won Best Newcomer Award at RoboSub2013. The team secured 7th position among 31 contestants during the RoboSub finals in San Diego on 28 June. A webcast of the event, which is co-sponsored by the US Office of Naval Research, was transmitted live online.
“This is highly commendable performance by a very talented young team,” comments Hallin Marine’s chief executive officer, John Payne. “It follows on from a strong performance by the BumbleBEEAUC at the Singapore Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Competition (SAUVC) in early March.
“We achieved 2nd position in the Singapore contest out of 9 contestants,” adds team leader Ong Tian Chang. “RoboSub proved a much larger scale competition with some very talented co-challengers so we were pleased to be among the front-runners and delighted to be recognised by the judges as Best Newcomer. Each contest of this kind encourages the team to improve the vehicle itself and our operational efficiency.”
Fabrication of the new machine for RoboSub commenced immediately after SAUVC with assistance from Hallin Marine’s Manufacturing team. The vehicle hull and frame are composed entirely of aluminium and feature a unique honeycomb support structure. Mechanical upgrades included new manipulators such as torpedoes, marker droppers and a robotic grabber. The sensors suite were also been improved to include a stereoscopic camera and acoustic hydrophones.
RoboSub is organised by theAUVSI Foundation which provides students with the opportunity to experience hands-on robotics activities that promote education in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. As students’ skill levels advance, the AUVSI Foundation hosts robotics competitions that challenge students to apply their engineering skills in the development of autonomous ground, air and maritime vehicles. The AUVSI Foundation has awarded nearly $1 million in prize money to participating schools since the competitions began in 1991.
Press Release, August 21, 2013