Spike is a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) developed by the Linn-Benton Community College ROVrunners for the 2024 Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) competition. The purpose of this project is to address underwater environmental challenges, such as monitoring ocean infrastructure, treating coral diseases, and repurposing subsea cables, as well as potential applications for space exploration. Our team objective was to design an ROV capable of performing relevant real-world tasks efficiently while remaining affordable and with potential adaptability for future missions.
Spike was built to be modular, and cost-effective. We reused materials wherever possible and made custom parts in-house to limit costs. Additionally, our team developed an autonomous vertical profiler that has vast potential in aquatic data collection. Both systems are designed to advance underwater technology, contributing to better understanding and conserving aquatic environments.
The competition results demonstrate Spike’s ability to handle real-world challenges. We finished the MATE competition in 10th place, out of the more than 200 colleges and universities that began the project in September. Through collaboration across multiple disciplines, the Linn-Benton ROVrunners have developed a highly functional and adaptable ROV, showcasing the potential of underwater robotics for Earth exploration and beyond.