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Marine Technology

Simple Machines: Robot Building Blocks

A close-up of one of the two manipulator arms on D2. These robotic arms are used to pick up rocks and biological specimens from the seafloor and operate other sampling tools. Image courtesy of Art Howard.

Activity Description

Students practice the engineering design process to develop a working manipulator arm for a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). Through the design process, students explore how simple machines are combined and used to develop complex systems, like manipulator arms. Students also develop a hydraulic actuator, to convert energy into motion for their designs.

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