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the operator is very familiar with the equipment and the task being 

 performed it is almost impossible for him to get much gross spatial 

 orientation from what he sees and even less appreciation of details 

 is achieved. The way information is presented to the operator and the 

 spectrum of options he has when reacting to this information ultimately 

 defines the effectiveness of the operator station. 



If remote operation is to be developed successfully, at the very least 

 color vision with good definition is required, with some means of 

 regenerating perspective and providing easily understandable data 

 displays. The ability to store information and reassess it during the 

 mission as well as later would be useful. For some tasks non-visual 

 data, e.g., tactile, may be necessary. Experimental psychology may 

 provide help to determine the optimum station/operator interaction. 

 It may prove possible through simulation of the undersea environment 

 to put the operator on a par with a diver on the spot. There is 

 probably much to learn from the technologies and methodologies developed 

 for the advanced aerospace simulators. 



In the past poor vehicle reliability has caused some potential customers 

 to doubt the value of remotely manned submersibles for offshore work. 

 There is clearly great scope for applying reliability engineering 

 techniques to such vehicles. Reporting of incidents and modes of 

 failure, provision of testing facilities, and transfer of experience 

 from other industries are essential to improving reliability of under- 

 water vehicles, and are areas where Government help could be given. 



It is of course possible to meet the most exacting requirements providing 

 that sufficient resources are devoted to R & D. However, we recognize 

 that in the offshore industry equipment has to demonstrate that it can 

 work cost effectively before it becomes acceptable to the customers. 

 Thus, the eventual capital and operating costs of systems will be kept 

 firmly in mind in the event of major R&D programs being undertaken 

 so that resulting equipment can find practical use in the market." 



5.2 UNTETHERED VEHICLES 



Section 2.4 described work in this area being conducted by the Naval Ocean 

 Systems Center (NOSC) and the University of New Hampshire (both supported 

 by the U.S. Geological Survey); the Naval Research Laboratory, Herriot Watt 

 University and CNEXO. Summations of these programs are as follows: 



NOSC - Developing a robot test-bed, untethered vehicle which will permit 

 demonstration of improved ROV system technology. Communication with 

 the submerged vehicle will be pursued through acoustic and/or fiber 

 optic links from the surface. 



University of New Hampshire - Developing an untethered vehicle which 

 will automatically follow a pipeline using an acoustic array as a 

 sensing element. Subsequent development will involve design of an 

 optimum vehicle pipeline navigation system; design/fabrication of a 

 two-way acoustic telemetry link and development of an thru-water 

 acoustic vehicle control device. 



