Underwater robot from Korea - Crabster CR200

In recent years, we have seen an increased interest in the exploration of the deep sea. This also translates into the development of new technologies, which allow not only for filming and taking pictures, but also for conducting searches in hard to reach places. The latest device of this type was created in Asia and is codenamed Crabster CR 200.

-- Advertisement --

Designed by a team of inventors at the Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering, the Crabster CR 200 is the largest of its kind created to date. The ROV took 3 years to develop when its design was first presented.

The structure consists of a torso made from a combination of carbon and glass fibre and 6 legs measuring approximately 180cm each. The whole structure weighs nearly 635kg. In the depths, the unit can use 4 of these legs to move, swimming in a manner similar to a turtle. However, on the bottom and hard ground, it moves like a crab.

The remotely operated vehicle (ROV) was developed to take advantage of crustacean characteristics such as the ease and grace of moving underwater. This allows access to many difficult locations without raising a cloud of sediment on the bottom. However, you can’t have everything and the Crabster CR 200’s operating speed is just 1.5km/h.

Video of Crabster’s assumed capabilities

“When designing this unusual structure, our main concerns were the ability to cope with strong currents and turbid water. We took our inspiration from sea creatures that live in similar environments, such as crabs and lobsters,” explained Bong-Huan Jun, one of the creators of the device

The robot has been additionally equipped with Doppler radar, allowing it to move in even the most turbid water, and a camera system, including a camera recording HD images. This will allow objects of interest to researchers to be recorded in close-ups allowing identification.

The real room for manoeuvre for the designers was in designing the system of extracting specific objects. Crabster can pick up submerged objects using its 2 front legs as pliers. The lifted object is then placed in a chamber inside the device, where it waits ready to be extracted.

The whole system has recently been tested, establishing Crabster’s range to a depth of 200m.

The device will undergo further tests in the Yellow Sea until 10 June, where it will provide support to archaeologists investigating 12th century shipwrecks.

This is how the Crabster skeleton looks on the surface

Source: entrepreneur.com Photo: crabster200photos.blogspot.com