Introducing ROVsim® Pro!

ROVsim Pro reflects a quantum level increase in sophistication and features specifically designed to meet the growing needs of ROV and undersea education professionals. After listening to feedback from users in the field, Marine Simulation LLC created an application designed from the ground up to be both flexible and modular. ROVsim Pro can be delivered in a wide variety of configurations to meet your organization's current needs and then later be upgraded as your future needs may require. By modularizing the design and separating the program into distinct applications communicating over a simple network, ROVsim Pro can be used in virtually any training environment. Thanks to this new design, multiple ROV's operating in the same mission, multiple SONARS operating from a single ROV, or a single instructor simultaneously monitoring a group of vehicles are now possible with ROVsim Pro.

ROVsim Pro consists of three main applications:

ROV pilot application - This application displays the primary ROV video monitor in a realistically designed single window. All operator controls are supported either externally through a custom hand controller or through standard input devices and a bottom screen control panel. ROVsim Pro supports up to 25 separate user configurable digital and analog inputs so virtually any external USB device can be adapted to work with it. With just a few clicks, the video overlay as well as physical and dynamic operating characteristics of the vehicle can be changed to simulate a wide range of observation class ROVs. And with just a few more clicks, the environment can be changed from clear and tranquil to zero visibility with dangerous currents. No other ROV simulator on the market offers this much flexibility at this price point.

Instructor remote control application - Running on a separate computer connected to the student's application through a network, the instructor's application displays the student's ROV in its operating environment. The instructor may change his view of the operating area to any angle or distance he desires. From a single control panel, current, visibility and casualties are all under his control. With a few simple clicks, the instructor can disable the student's video camera, simulate a thruster casualty and alter the environment's currents, thus creating a dynamic learning environment with infinite possibilities and challenges. The instructor's application can also record the mission for later playback and review with the student. One of the most powerful features of this application is that it be used to control and monitor multiple simultaneous student pilot applications, optimizing instructor productivity while maximizing student hands on time.

Dedicated SONAR application - A wide variety of SONARs as well as simultaneous multiple SONAR displays are supported. Once the SONAR application connects to the network it automatically launches whatever mission is currently being run by the pilot application. Both 2D navigation as well as 3D imaging technology can be simulated and the user interface can be custom configured to simulate nearly any SONAR system currently available.

ROVsim Pro is the latest addition to the ROVsim® family of ROV simulators. Other products by Marine Simulation LLC include ROVsim Lite and the ROVsim Undersea Pilot Series, Volumes One and Two. To learn more about any of our products please visit our website. For a custom ROVsim Pro quotation, please contact us.

SERPENT and Marine Simulation LLC™ in new deep-sea partnership

SERPENT, the UK deep sea research project, and Marine Simulation LLC™, developers of cutting-edge simulation software today announced a new working partnership.

Collaborating closely with key players in the oil and gas industry, the "Scientific and Environmental ROV Partnership using Existing iNdustrial Technology" (SERPENT) project aims to make cutting-edge industrial Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) technology and data more accessible to the world's science community, share knowledge and progress deep-sea research. The programme interacts with science and conservation groups globally to communicate the project to the public, increasing the awareness of our fragile marine resources. SERPENT is a global project hosted by the DEEPSEAS group, within Ocean Biogeochemistry and Ecosystems (OBE) at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton (NOCS), UK. The project has a growing network of UK and global partners.

Marine Simulation LLC™, based in North Carolina, USA, produces computer-based 3D simulations of surface and sub-surface craft for marine professionals and are the developers of the ROVsim® line of underwater robotic simulators. Using state-of-the art technologies originally developed for the video game industry and over 2 decades of hands on industry experience, their simulations deliver a level of visual and functional realism never before possible.

The collaboration will result in a dedicated ROVsim® simulation package that closely mirrors SERPENT research activities in the deep oceans. SERPENT aims to monitor and collect data from the world’s biodiversity hotspots by using oil and gas industry ROVs. The data consists principally of images and video, making virtual simulators ideal for emulating this activity.

The software will have its first trial as an outreach tool. Mounted on a sit-in ROV simulator it will form one of several outreach projects in the 2009 “Oceans on Wheels” Roadshow organized by the Faculty of Engineering, Science and Mathematics at the University of Southampton. The simulator will be a fun way for teenagers to understand how SERPENT contributes to our knowledge of the deep sea environment. SERPENT will also be using the software as part of a free training programme to ROV companies.

Dr. Daniel Jones, SERPENT Project Coordinator said “We’re very excited about this new partnership. SERPENT will benefit hugely from being able to offer virtual missions of this kind, both as an outreach activity as well as to ROV pilots who I’m sure will welcome the chance to learn more about their deep sea working environment. We are very grateful to Marine Simulation LLC for their excellent support.”

For further information, go to http://www.serpentproject.com and http://www.marinesimulation.com.

Rob Curry, SERPENT outreach coordinator, November 2008