Oceanbotics Returns to Shark Week to Capture Rare Black Mako Oceanbotics is excited to announce its return to the Discovery Channel’s Shark Week for the third consecutive year, participating in the production of a new special, “Black Mako of the Abyss", filmed off the coast of Catalina Island in Southern California. To help locate this rare, dark-colored shark, Oceanbotics deployed its professional SRV-8X remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV). Ryan Gates, an ROV operator, easily piloted the vehicle down to 1,640 feet (500 meters) using just a handheld controller and a laptop, showcasing how straightforward and user-friendly the system is, even in challenging conditions. A rare Black Mako Shark flashes its sharp teeth and distinctive dark top as it passes the SRV-8X ROV. The Black Mako Shark slows down to study a Shark Week diver as it glides past the SRV-8X ROV. What is [...]

How EOD Teams are Using Robotic Technology to Keep Divers Safe Introduction Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams undertake some of the most dangerous missions on the planet, expertly trained to locate and neutralize unexploded ordnances (UXOs) such as naval mines and underwater IEDs (improvised explosive devices). Naval mines are underwater explosives capable of devastating ships or submarines. Historically, these devices were deployed as wartime strategies to block enemy access to certain areas or funnel them into specific zones. Today, naval mines remain hidden along the ocean floor, posing significant risks to ocean operations and personnel. In this article, we’ll explore what naval mines are, how EOD teams work to safely eliminate them, and how advancements in technology are revolutionizing this process—making it faster, safer, and more efficient. What Are Naval Mines? A naval mine is a self-contained underwater explosive designed to damage or destroy submarines [...]