I know! We’ll build a little submarine
You’ve probably played with a remote-control something-or-other, yes? I bet this is cooler: a remote-controlled mini submarine. Better yet, one that we can build ourselves for cheap. A New York Times blog has details: A Mini Sub Made From Cheap Parts Could Change Underwater Exploration.
Don’t you want one? Of course you do. We’d send our mini-sub down to inspect kelp growth at Berry Point, and to film the Quinsam from underneath as it passes by. We’d use it to sneak up on scuba divers and give them something to gawk at. And, and, and!
(Link found here at Boing Boing, which has a few related links, too – like this one: the little submarine that could.)
Filed in assorted 3 Comments so far
3 Responses to “I know! We’ll build a little submarine”
skadhu on 30 May 2012 at 8:55 am #
You don’t need to spend $750 for a kit to build your own underwater robot: this book has info and plans for projects that help you build your own, probably for much less money. I’m not sure how deep the cheaper alternatives can go. But it does teach you the principles behind what you’re doing and how to attach cameras and other paraphenalia so you can customize and actually do things with the ROV.
(In the interests of full disclosure, the book is a project I worked on.)
Bill on 30 May 2012 at 11:23 am #
I remember seeing several of Harry’s prototypes years ago when I was doing my degree up at SFU. Cool to see that book!
skadhu on 30 May 2012 at 2:23 pm #
Yes, Bill, they’re very cool things! I did get to see some of them when working on illustrating the book, but I have to confess that I never actually built any myself. But directly as a result of this book, Harry and Vickie (and me too sliding in on their coattails!) went on to work on a really, really big textbook project on underwater robotics. Such an interesting subject, and so much going on with it these days.
And international competitions students can enter, if so inclined.