Although ROVs like the Perry RECON (below)
vehicle have been around for some time (over 50 produced), their
technology limited them in both depth and performance. A new class
of ROV was born less
than five years ago, which although small and electric, is not necessarily
low cost and can approach the $500,000 mark. These new vehicles
feature the latest in technology from Brushless DC motors (thrusters)
to PC-based control systems and fiber optic telemetry systems. Electrically
operated vehicles can be made to go 20,000 feet (6,096 meters) with
much less power required to operate them at depth. The ability to
do heavy work is still not possible with the electric ROVs, primarily
limited by the needed electro-hydraulic design nature of modern
manipulator and work systems, but they can still perform many tasks
at a much lower cost.
Vehicles like the Perry Tritech Voyager
(right) are very capable inspection systems using the state-of-the-art
in fiber optic telemetry and control systems. ROVs like the Deep
Sea Systems International MaxROVER (below) offer increased
power and moderate work capabilities to depths of 9,842 feet (3,000
meters) at a fraction of the cost of electro-hydraulic systems.
Electric vehicles have gained popularity with
the military and science markets due primarily to their quiet operation.
In addition, the work requirements for military and science are,
in most cases, not as complex when compared to ROVs used for oil
and gas operations. The future should see a dramatic increase in
the work capability of such all-electric systems.
less
than five years ago, which although small and electric, is not necessarily
low cost and can approach the $500,000 mark. These new vehicles
feature the latest in technology from Brushless DC motors (thrusters)
to PC-based control systems and fiber optic telemetry systems. Electrically
operated vehicles can be made to go 20,000 feet (6,096 meters) with
much less power required to operate them at depth. The ability to
do heavy work is still not possible with the electric ROVs, primarily
limited by the needed electro-hydraulic design nature of modern
manipulator and work systems, but they can still perform many tasks
at a much lower cost. 
