International ROV competition a splashing success
An international ROV competition was held at Marine Institute
Underwater robots are also known as ROVs, or remotely operated vehicles.
It’s the first time the competition was held outside the United States.
Over 300 students on 41 teams representing middle schools, high schools, home schools, after-school groups, community colleges and universities from Canada, The United States, Spain, Scotland, Iran and Hong Kong competed for awards in the Ranger and Explorer classes.
Two teams from Newfoundland and Labrador - Heritage Collegiate of Lethbridge and Eastern Edge Robotics from St. John’s - placed second overall in both categories.
Supported by the National Science Foundation’s MATE Center and the Marine Technology Society (MTS) ROV committee, the competition encourages students to develop science, technology, engineering and math skills by showing them real-world applications.
The Marine Institute built several new ROV facilities for the international competition.
“The facilities we have here are truly world class and we were extremely proud to showcase them to a global audience,” said Glenn Blackwood, MI’s executive director.