Schmidt Ocean Institute seeks to advance ocean research through the use of cutting edge technologies and infrastructure. Our current plans to build robotic platforms for exclusive use on R/V Falkor is a great example of this effort, which includes the creation of a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV).

4500 m Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV SuBastian)

Schmidt Ocean Institute has developed a remotely controlled robotic vehicle for use on research vessel Falkor. The vehicle is designed for 4,500 m depth below the surface – more information on its webpage.

300 m SAAB SeaEye Falcon Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)

R/V Falkor has a 300 m SAAB SeaEye Falcon ROV for use in shallow water up to 300 m depth. The ROV is especially helpful for remote coral reef survey work.

Sirius AUV on a previous deployment.

Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV)

R/V Falkor has successfully operated various deployments of several autonomous underwater vehicles.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)

Schmidt Ocean Institute has supported several drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) with successful launches and recoveries aboard R/V Falkor. These systems have been used to collect ocean surface and atmospheric data.

Vehicles Previously Supported

View the previously supported robotic platforms including AUVs, ROVs, and unmanned aerial vehicles that have been used on research vessel Falkor.

Hydrothermal Exploration Thumb

Hybrid Remotely Operated Vehicle (HROV)

R/V Falkor successfully operated deployments with the hybrid underwater robotic vehicle Nereus.