The Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology (KIOST) will build a research centre focusing on remotely operated vehicles (ROVs)
ROVs, commonly used in hydrographics and subsea work, are remotely controlled on land.
The centre is part of the KIOST’s research and development work into underwater robots and applied systems. The work is to last from 2013-2018 with a budget of KRW81.3 billion (USD69 million).
The centre will carry out experiments involving three types of ROVs. The three ROV types are: an ROV for underwater welding, an ROV for subsea cable laying and another for laying pipelines in harsher water conditions.
The KIOST is keen to develop underwater robot technology to give the country’s shipbuilders an advantage in constructing offshore structures and more of these are being deployed to deeper waters.
South Korea’s Big Three shipbuilders specialise in offshore plants, floating production systems, and rigs.
This post was sourced from IHS Maritime 360: View the original article here.