The ITU ROV Team is a multidisciplinary student group from Istanbul Technical University, developing cutting-edge underwater robots. Established under the Faculty of Shipbuilding and Marine Sciences, our team has 8 years of experience in creating innovative solutions for underwater challenges. We continuously push the boundaries of autonomous and remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) through teamwork, dedication, and a commitment to excellence.

Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) are underwater systems designed for tasks that are otherwise unreachable or challenging for humans. These vehicles are crucial in areas such as:

• Inspection and maintenance of offshore platforms and underwater pipelines
• Environmental monitoring of underwater habitats
• Scientific exploration in deep-sea environments

ROVs are equipped with high-resolution cameras, robotic arms, and advanced sensors to perform their tasks efficiently and effectively.

Our team's history is marked by numerous successes in national and international competitions:

• MATE ROV Turkey Champion (2017, 2018, 2021, 2022)
• Teknofest Unmanned Underwater Systems Champion (2022)
• MATE ROV World Championship Top Rankings:
  • 23rd place (2017 - Los Angeles)
  • 11th place (2018 - Seattle)
  • 6th place in Telepresence (2021)
  • 4th place in Telepresence (2022)
• TAC Challenge Norway:
  • 3rd place (2023)
  • 2nd place in Technical Presentation (2024)

Our team is structured into four core divisions, each contributing to the success of our ROV projects:

Responsible for the design, manufacturing, and testing of our vehicles, including:

• Structural analysis
• Designing mission tools and manipulators
• Creating competition-specific setups

The software team is the backbone of our ROV's intelligence and automation. We handle everything from the high-level algorithms to low-level embedded systems. Key responsibilities include:

• Autonomous Navigation:

  • Developing navigation algorithms using ROS2 (Robot Operating System 2).
  • Integrating data from IMUs, cameras, and other sensors for precise control.

• Machine Learning:

  • Training models for tasks such as object detection, underwater mapping, and path optimization using frameworks like PyTorch and TensorFlow.

• Computer Vision:

  • Using state-of-the-art AI models for image processing and underwater anomaly detection.
  • Implementing real-time vision pipelines using OpenCV and integrating with hardware.

• Embedded Software:

  • Writing low-level control algorithms in C++ for microcontrollers like STM32.
  • Using micro-ROS to ensure smooth operation of subsystems.

• Simulation and Testing:

  • Simulating underwater environments using Gazebo and Unity.
  • Testing algorithms and hardware integration in virtual and physical environments.

• User Interfaces:

  • Creating intuitive operator interfaces to control and monitor the ROV in real-time.

Handles the electronic design and embedded software development, including:

• Circuit board design
• Power management systems
• Sensor and actuator integration

Manages team promotion, sponsorships, and public relations, including:

• Designing promotional materials
• Organizing outreach events
• Building partnerships with sponsors

• Programming Languages: Python, C++, C
• AI & ML Frameworks: PyTorch, TensorFlow, OpenCV
• Robotics Frameworks: ROS2, micro-ROS
• Simulation Tools: Gazebo, Unity
• Hardware: STM32 microcontrollers, NVIDIA Jetson platforms
• Collaboration Tools: Git, GitHub, Trello

As we look to the future, our goal is to transition from competition prototypes to industry-grade solutions. We aim to set the standard for innovative underwater vehicle designs and continue leading in both the academic and professional domains.

We are always looking for passionate individuals and sponsors to collaborate with. Whether you're interested in underwater robotics or want to support our team, feel free to reach out.

• Email: [email protected]
• Linkedin: Linkedin: @iturovteam
• Instagram: Instagram: @iturovteam