Underwater Drone- It's obvious really...

[mulucaver]

Thanks for mentioning that - it's very interesting. I'll get in touch via PM over the next few days (as I may ask if I can pick your brains regarding the next Peak District Sump Index).

OK, I'll see if I can find my notebook from that time.

 

[Pitlamp]

Dave - have sent you a PM with full details.

 

[sertle81]

Spotted this on BBC news today http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-36834761 which led me here.. Underwater drone..  http://www.openrov.com/

Has anyone come across anything like this before?

Surprised to read that the cost is no more than a "high end laptop".

 

[huwg]

I realise this is an old thread, but has anyone managed to use an underwater drone in the interviening time for exploration?
They are still expensive, but for only (!) £1650 you can get a cabled drone with a camera and a 200m cable. Probably not great for sumps with flowing water, but for those without could be useful. They would obviously need a light attaching though! I suppose one with mapping tools would be more useful but presumably have a heftier price tag.

e.g. https://www.uwcamerastore.com/underwater-drones/recreational-underwater-drones

 

[grahams]

I worked on the Remote Control Mine Disposal System (RCMDS) simulation software back in the '80s. One of those might be useful if a mine is ever found in s sump.

 

[alanw]

I worked on the Remote Control Mine Disposal System (RCMDS) simulation software back in the '80s.

In the 90's I worked at Ferranti Cheadle on the Single Role Mine Hunter training simulator, until they went bust due to a corrupt arms dealer.

 

[PeteHall]

I was approached by someone with something similar, about trying it at our dig in Rickford.

There seemed to me, to be a number of major pitfalls and the idea was shelved. These included:

1. Drag on the wire. This would be problematic after even one sharp corner, let alone weaving through boulders. Add to this the potential for the wire to pull into 'line traps'.
2. Lack of pitch/ roll. The drone could go up or down and turn left or right, but it couldn't pitch or roll to negotiate the shape of a narrow cave passage.
3. Recovering the drone would be almost impossible in a confined space. See point one and line traps.

I believe one was trialed in an accessible area of Wookey, I can't recall the details, suggesting that it wasn't terribly remarkable.