Edwardo Moreno, an electrical and mechanical engineering student from the University of Arizona, is developing a cost-efficient underwater robot that is used for exploring closed spaces and shallow waters.
A-CURVE Robot
Moreno foresees the application of the A-CURVE (Autonomous Cooperative Underwater Robotic Vehicle) robot as a national defense solution to protect marine borders. Moreno’s mentor, Ricardo Sanfelice, is helping him to pursue federal grants for developing the A-CURVE robot.
Moreno has so far developed the robot with his scholarship money and is currently seeking financial support from various sponsors. He outsourced numerous parts from a firm in Mexico and obtained electronic modules from Polulu. In addition, he acquired a tether for data and video transmission from Teledyne and electronics and robotics from Las Vegas.
The A-CURVE robot will have the potential to operate autonomously and remotely. Moreno stated that the robot’s appealing characteristics are its upgradable and modular capabilities and its cost-efficiency. The robot’s design incorporates attachable modules that are designed for tasks such as specimen storage, temperature reading, navigation, and gripping.
Moreno is also aspiring to develop two more robotic modules. He will also develop a tether platform, complete the computer simulation, and derive a mathematical prototype for the unit. Thereafter, Moreno will conduct viability studies for defense applications and carry out tests on the solutions.