Mind / Iron
by Bryan Bergeron, Editor ;
Dull, Dirty, Dangerous, and
Often the Only Option
The recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico put the
spotlight on the use of robots in deep-sea operations. It
was immediately evident from the video posted on the
web that remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and other
robots were at the center of attempts to contain the spill.
As with most commercial robotics applications, the task
at hand certainly fits the criteria of dull, dirty, or
dangerous. Moreover, in this working environment,
robots are the only option. Miles below the surface of the
gulf, humans are unable to interact directly with the
containment equipment.
As with the US DoD’s Predator pilots, the operators
of the ROVs sit comfortably in an air-conditioned
command room. And like the large drones, the ROVs
aren’t something that can fit in your living room – think
large truck. Fly-by-wire interfaces enable operators to
operate the hydraulic manipulators and aim cameras at
various areas of the leak.
Daily footage of the spill area also underscores the
current status of robotics. Modern ROVs might be
sophisticated, powerful machines, capable of operating at
great depths, but even with a human calling the shots,
they’re not invincible. And just because ROVs allow an
operator to be virtually present doesn’t mean that a quick
fix is possible. If a skilled human operator can’t use an
ROV to stop the leak, imagine how an AI would respond
to the situation. Clearly, we’re not to the point commonly
depicted in Sci-Fi movies where robots autonomously
handle the routine chores around the house or
space ship, repair holes caused by meteor damage,
and other disasters.
6 SERVO 08.2010
