Surfriders To Dive Under Waves For Robot Competition

June 25, 2008
By Carol Chang

Meet ROV, Kailua High School’s remotely operated vehicle, created for an international underwater robotic competition this week in California. Photo from David Izumi.

Kailua High School’s award-winning robotics team competes this week in San Diego to see who has the most responsive underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV).

This is the third year that teacher David Izumi’s advanced tech ed class was invited to the International Underwater Robotic Competition, set for June 26-28 at Scripps Aquarium and sponsored by the MATE Center and Marine Technology Society’s ROV committee. The event attracts student teams in middle school through university level from the U.S., Canada, Scotland and Hong Kong. There are two teams from Hawaii.

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“The ROV is not costly to build,” explained Izumi, “but just as intricate (as land robots) to design and build.” Students gain first-hand experience in all aspects of production, he added, and they need to consider complications such as atmospheric pressure. Their electronic module must carry out several tasks underwater by remote command. Practice sessions have been in a team member’s home swimming pool.

The project is supported by state and federal funds, plus Ameron Hawaii, which paid for travel expenses, Izumi said.

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Members of the 2008 team are co-captains Dalfred Kaipo and Nick Poleshaj, along with Kahue Kaopuiki Pilot and Jon Trueman, who were all on last year’s team. Fellow members are Andrew Ikeda, Willson Scott, Ashlyn Seda, Rachel Chang and Oranna Davis.

Watching the Surfriders’ ROV performance will be working professionals in the marine industry, universities and government agencies.