Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics Research IGDAt the core of the joint project MiRo-Base were unmanned underwater vehicles. The project aimed to design the concept for a novel mini-ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) system, implement it as a prototype, and validate it using two different test platforms. In addition to developing the system components, the consortium also worked on development methods for this special class of cyber-physical systems in order to achieve high technological quality while ensuring high efficiency in the development process. With MiRo-Base, the consortium pursued the goal of positioning itself as a provider of a complete vehicle — “Mini-ROV made in Germany” — in the global underwater technology market. To this end, several SMEs as well as scientific partners joined forces under the coordination of the network “Mini-ROV – Competence Network for Mobile Underwater Inspection Tools” at the Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics Research IGD.
Previous vehicle concepts have typically been designed for very specific applications. The resulting lack of modularization and standardization makes market access particularly difficult for small and medium-sized suppliers of basic modules (e.g., drives, batteries) or sensors. The vehicle concept to be developed here was intended to stand out through high flexibility and reliability, as well as efficient operability. By providing parameterizable base modules and defining interfaces between modules, it was envisioned that different vehicles could be developed on the basis of a single system platform.