Science & Research

NASA Grant and Cushman Funding Support Robotics Class and Equipment

BY NICHOLAS RIGAS, PH.D.

ROBOTICS IS INCREASINGLY becoming an integral part of ocean studies and the marine industry, revolutionizing the way we explore, understand, and manage our oceans. Oceans cover over 70% of the Earth’s surface, yet many of their mysteries remain hidden beneath the waves.

The introduction of robotics, including autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and other advanced tools, has significantly improved the ability to study and navigate these vast and often treacherous environments. In the context of both scientific research and industrial operations, robotics offers solutions to longstanding challenges, providing enhanced capabilities for exploration, resource extraction, environmental monitoring, and safety.

It is important for students entering the ocean studies and marine industry to have a basic understanding of robotics systems and how they can be used safely.

Student launching Digger for the first time in the ocean.

Through funding from a NASA grant, a new technical elective course, Introduction to Marine Robotic Systems has been developed and was launched in the spring of 2025 here at Maine Maritime Academy.  This course is offered to engineering and ocean studies students, providing an introduction to robotic systems utilized in marine environments, covering topics such as design, control, data collection, data transfer, and system integration of autonomous and remotely operated marine vehicles.

As part of understanding the use of robotics in a marine environment, it was important for students to be able to study and operate a commercially available ROV. Through a generous donation from Betsy Cushman, the Academy was able to purchase a Deep Trekker Pivot ROV. The Pivot, named Digger, serves not only as a teaching platform but also provides students and faculty with state-of-the-art underwater robotic equipment to incorporate into their studies or research.

Betsy Cushman and her dog Digger, front left, with President Craig Johnson, Professor Nicholas Rigas, and students at Digger’s launch into the bay.

Digger can operate up to a depth of 1000 ft and in water temperatures ranging from 14 F to 122 F. Its carbon fiber and stainless-steel body makes it light weight and easily transportable aboard large and small vessels. It is equipped with a pivoting enhanced 4K camera and lighting allowing for a clear view of the ocean depths. ‘Digger’ is powered by two rechargeable lithium-ion batteries allowing it to be submerged up to 3 hours at a time.

There are a variety of attachments that can be added to ‘Digger’ allowing students to gather samples from the ocean floor, measure the thickness of hulls, collect water samples, or monitor dissolved oxygen levels in the water.  In the future, ‘Digger’ can be equipped with a Blueprint SeaTrac USBL positioning system allowing it to function autonomously. ‘Digger’ is a flexible and robust ROV that will allow Maine Maritime students to enhance their studies and prepare them for a changing world.

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