ST606: AquaVise Underwater Robot For Monitoring And Inspection

Anita Ahmad Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

The progress of robot development in the nuclear power field started with the operation of nuclear power plants with various types of maintenance work such as inspections, repairs and replacements are carried out on a regular basis with scheduled shutdowns of the plants to maintain their stable operation. This project focuses on developing an underwater robot for inspection and maintenance tasks in nuclear reactor pools. The robot is compact, and miniaturized with customized 3D printed body design using Solidworks, with optimized maneuverability, manual and automatic control, and monitoring capabilities. Key features include a corrosion detection system in Python using an integrated camera, IMU for stability, four thrusters for precise movement, and a temperature sensor for water condition monitoring. MPU6050 IMU sensor is used for real-time measurement of orientation which helps the robot keep stable underwater. The pitch and roll information from the IMU is processed to ensure that it remains horizontally aligned, an important factor in performing effective corrosion inspection. This sensing information is directly connected to the control logic of the thrusters, which provides accurate adjustment according to environmental changes. All these elements synergistically ensure the operational reliability and stability of the robot in the nuclear reactor pools, increasing its capability to perform complex maintenance tasks with dexterity.