A Unified Pilot Training and Control System for Underwater Robotic Vehicles (URV)

This paper introduces the work done to improve on a sophisticated Underwater Robotic Vehicle (URV) inspection and repair system for submerged structures. It is undertaken as part of a research programme grant to pursue research and development of technologies and systems for the advancement of knowledge and for possible commercial exploitation relevant to the oil and gas industry. In particular, the paper focuses on the development of a unified pilot training and controls system that incorporates an advance man–machine interface for improving operator dexterity. Few formalised training procedures exist for URV pilots. In spite of the high cost, most URV pilots receive their training on-the-job. Training simulators can be viewed as a viable solution to this problem. Some attention has been made to address this problem. Notably are efforts by Imetrix URV-Mentor system, which focuses on VE simulation and on-line tutoring. Simulators, however, represents additional costs and in some ways lacks the realism of working on the real system. In the R2C the researchers proposed a novel simulator configuration. We have developed a dual-purpose topside control system configuration that can be used for training as well as for on-line operation of an actual URV. In the simulator configuration, the physical URV is replaced by a simulator module, which accepts actual commands from the control system and responds with a simulated URV status, using a dynamic model of the URV. The simulator module behaves much like the actual URV accepting commands and responds with status information. The advantage of such a system is perceived to be lower system cost as well as a more realistic testing and simulation of the relevant processes.