Design of an Underwater Robot for Coral Reef Monitoring in Honduras

Abstract

Climate change is affecting all ecosystems in the world, robotics applications are focusing on monitoring ecosystems effects. Coral reef in Honduras is an important resource that needs to be preserved. This study shows the development of a robot for monitoring coral reef, simplifying some challenges of underwater mechanical robot design. The robot development implements VDI 2206 model into cycles the lab design and the prototype integration. Because of different force estimations, simulations and field test the robot accomplish its task. PWM outputs control the force thrust. Internal sensors for leaks and temperature assure the robot functions. The vision system detect motion to take videos and photos every 2 minutes. Sea water temperature, videos, and photos are stored in a minicomputer. The flow simulation assures robot mechanical design to accomplish its task. The control should be improve adding a mathematical model for the robot displacement underwater.