• control system
• DRASS
• DRASSIE
• PLC
• ROV
• SIEMENS
• Underwater Robotics

Observation Class Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) are very common nowadays for deep-sea exploration that cannot be achieved by man alone. The topic of this thesis is the design and realization of DRASSIE, a ROV prototype for DRASS Underwater Technology. The project has been followed through from beginning to end, starting from job planning and the choice of components to the design and realization of the main equipment, software development and preliminary water testing. The peculiarity of the project is its control system. It is realized with a robust industrial controller, designed for hard working conditions; it provides a safe and robust operation protocol. An Ethernet extension device is installed on DRASSIE, providing broadband communications with the surface. Automatic functions such as auto heading and auto depth are developed in order to guarantee good maneuverability of the vehicle.