Soon, ROV pilots could literally have a feel for what's going on with the underwater robot.
Currently, pilots control these remotely operated vehicles from a chair in a tech-heavy ROV control room. The pilot watches screens and live video feeds and uses a joystick to maneuver the ROV through an inspection, installation or repair operation. But augmented sensory tech could find its way into the control room and onto the body of the ROV pilots in the form of VR headsets and haptic suits.
Haptic technology allows a user to feel forced vibration and motion, all of which could be used to improve control of machines from afar. Unity—a physics engine—constructs the VR environment that provides the pilot all the information needed to safely operate the ROV.
Through a project funded through the National Science Foundation's "Future of Work at the Human-Technology Frontier" Program, ABS is partnering with the University of Florida to develop and qualify the technology—dubbed Augmented Reality Interface for Submersibles or ARIS—for use with ROVs.
The project focuses on human robot sensory transfer for worker productivity, training and quality of life in remote undersea inspection and construction tasks.
Every Tuesday we'll have a new episode drilling into the tech that fuels the oil patch. Be the first to watch with our E&P weekly newsletter. Sign up at hartenergy.com/ep.
Recommended Reading
US Drillers Cut Oil, Gas Rig Count to Lowest Since January 2022
2024-06-14 - Baker Hughes said the total rig count is down 97 rigs, or 14%, below this time last year.
US Drillers Add Oil, Gas Rigs for Second Time in Three Weeks
2024-07-19 - The oil and gas rig count, an early indicator of future output, rose by two to 586 in the week to July 19, its highest since late June.
US Oil, Gas Rig Count Falls to Lowest Since January 2022
2024-06-07 - The oil and gas rig count, an early indicator of future output, fell by six to 594 in the week to June 7, decreasing for the second time in three weeks.
US Drillers Cut Oil, Gas Rigs for Second Week in a Row
2024-08-23 - The oil and gas rig count fell by one to 585 in the week to Aug. 23. Baker Hughes said that puts the total rig count down 47, or 7% below this time last year.
US Drillers Cut Oil, Gas Rigs for First Time in Three weeks
2024-08-02 - The oil and gas rig count, an early indicator of future output, fell by three to 586 in the week to Aug. 2. Baker Hughes said that puts the total rig count down 73, or 11%, below this time last year.