as the command and data link. In order to economize on copper, power is 
transmitted at high voltage and a local distribution system is included 
within the mobile vehicle. Hydraulic power is highly advantageous for 
underwater actuators, for handling arms, as well as wrenches, jacks, and 
other auxiliary power tools. Accordingly, one often includes a hydraulic 
power subsystem within the Mobot vehicle. 
Large and heavy vehicles, or vehicles required to operate at very 
great distances from the operator, may more economically generate prime 
power within the vehicle itself rather than transmitting it via cable. 
Any power system capable of operating within the ocean can of course be 
used for such vehicle. The control of the power subsystem is accomplished 
through the Mobot command system which, without difficulty, can accommodate 
the necessary additional command channels. 
Control Console. The control console, or control subsystem, is the 
man-machine link, the only point in which the human operator interacts with 
the Mobot system. Human factors engineering methods are fully applicable 
to control console design. Uppermost in importance is minimizing of oper- 
ator fatigue so that a man can spend long periods at the console without 
undue deterioration of his performance. 
As noted above, an experienced operator becomes completely unaware of 
the mechanics of the console itself and subjectively identifies himself 
with the Mobot vehicle. A most subtle point in console design is facilita- 
tion of this subjective identification. 
SCIENTIFIC APPLICATIONS OF REMOTE HANDLING 
TECHNIQUES TO OCEANOGRAPHY 
In the light of the foregoing general discussion of remote handling 
techniques and methods for operating in hostile environments, it may be of 
interest to describe a few applications of these techniques to oceanography. 
These illustrative examples are not intended to exhaust the subject; on the 
contrary, it is hoped that they will stimulate the thinking of the oceano- 
grapher and that as a result it will be possible to propose new advanced 
handling systems which will facilitate the obtaining of scientific informa- 
tion concerning the oceans and their contents. 
Vehicles for obtaining scientific information in the ocean may be re- 
quired to operate at or near the ocean bottom, or im some cases to obtain 
information concerning the ocean itself. This indicates a need for free- 
swimming vehicles as well as for vehicles which can operate on the ocean 
floor. 
The scientific observer is of course the most vital element in the data- 
gathering process. He may desire to be reasonably close to the site of the 
information to be gathered, in a diving bell, submarine, or Bathyscaphe. In 
some cases, on the contrary, he may prefer to remain in a surface vessel or 
shore station from which he can control the motions of a Mobot vehicle and 
can see, hear, and feel the local situation with as much or more facility as 
if he were physically present. This rather subjective data-gathering process 
is of course added to the more physical capability of gathering specimens. 
It is to be noted that the specimen-gathering process, as accomplished by 
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