MiniROVs – Deep Trekker

As work class ROVs used in the O&G industry and S&R missions reach new peaks in demand, small inspection class ROVs, better known as mini or micro ROVS are also becoming accessible to the general public.

These light weight ROVs come in various shapes and sizes, although most models are limited to shallow water depths, there are exceptions and the probability is high that in the near future these MiniROVs will be capable of reaching deeper waters. Based in southern Ontario, Canada, Deep Trekker Inc. is specialized in the design and manufacture affordable subsea exploration tools, targeting the growing world consumer market for U/W exploration tools.

This market ranges from U/W enthusiasts looking at gathering images from beyond recreational diving limits all the way to U/W exploration companies, ship hull inspection specialists, law enforcement agencies, research institutes and universities, government agencies and filmmakers, to name but a few interested parties. A good example is the new Deep Trekker DTX2 which will be launched in 2012 with a 160m (525 ft) depth rating, andwill come standard with depth and heading sensor, auto heading and depth control feature, video overlay - showing depth, heading and other important data. It is stated to have a 4 hour battery life and does not need external power once the battery is charged. All this at under $5,000 is definitely interesting. The system also allows for custom options such as different video camera options, manipulator arms, photo cameras and sonars.

Deep Trekker announced in August 2011 that the “Núcleo de Tecnologia Marinha e Ambiental” (NUTECMAR), a Brazilian company specialized in micro ROVs, based in Santos, in the State of São Paulo, has been appointed authorized Deep Trekker dealer for Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Uruguay, and Colombia exclusively, and non-exclusively in the remaining Latin American countries. NUTECMAR is a local company focused on education and marine technologies, including ROVs, renewable energies and underwater scientific activities, based in Santos, Brazil, one of the gateways to the growing Brazilian deep water pre-salt fields.

Claudio Paschoa