Nova
Ray Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Control Station Analysis
The
Nova Ray unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) is one of the most unique
unmanned submersibles on the market. Instead of taking on the torpedo shape favored
by a majority of unmanned underwater vehicles, the Nova Ray takes its styling cues
(and its name) from the stingray, utilizing a big pair of wings to stabilize itself under
water (Rees, 2017). Here is a picture of the Nova Ray, ready to go into the water:
unmanned submersibles on the market. Instead of taking on the torpedo shape favored
by a majority of unmanned underwater vehicles, the Nova Ray takes its styling cues
(and its name) from the stingray, utilizing a big pair of wings to stabilize itself under
water (Rees, 2017). Here is a picture of the Nova Ray, ready to go into the water:
The
picture makes it clear that the craft is controlled by a tether, but what kind
of control station is it tethered to? According to Coral Partners, the company behind
the submersible, each Nova Ray ships with an integrated Control Console (CC)
packaged in a Pelican case (Nova Ray, n.d.). Below is an image of the CC:
of control station is it tethered to? According to Coral Partners, the company behind
the submersible, each Nova Ray ships with an integrated Control Console (CC)
packaged in a Pelican case (Nova Ray, n.d.). Below is an image of the CC:
According
to Nova Ray (n.d.), the CC is comprised of the following
components: laptop computer, ten-inch LCD monitor, and four-axis joystick. Doing
a little research revealed that a typical four-axis joystick moves up, down, left and
right (the first two axes), has a rotating knob (the third axis) and one or more buttons
(the fourth axis), giving a tremendous amount of control options from a single stick
(Engineering 360, n.d.). This stick is used to control both the movement of the Nova
Ray itself and its camera. The laptop and the LCD monitor combine to display both
data that the Nova Ray is gathering and the data generated by its internal sensors, as
components: laptop computer, ten-inch LCD monitor, and four-axis joystick. Doing
a little research revealed that a typical four-axis joystick moves up, down, left and
right (the first two axes), has a rotating knob (the third axis) and one or more buttons
(the fourth axis), giving a tremendous amount of control options from a single stick
(Engineering 360, n.d.). This stick is used to control both the movement of the Nova
Ray itself and its camera. The laptop and the LCD monitor combine to display both
data that the Nova Ray is gathering and the data generated by its internal sensors, as
shown in the picture above: the laptop screen shows
images of the Nova Ray’s pitch,
attitude,and other variables not readily visible, while the LCD screen shows the images
of fish the Nova Ray is recording.
attitude,and other variables not readily visible, while the LCD screen shows the images
of fish the Nova Ray is recording.
Unfortunately,
details about the software don’t get any more specific. according
to Nova Ray (n.d.), the command and control software the CC uses is Windows-based
and proprietary, but does not go into any more detail. Still, by looking at the screens,
we can see that the images on the laptop are quite similar to what we may find in an
airplane cockpit, particularly the attitude gauge on the left side of the laptop screen that
displays the Nova Ray’s position relative to the horizon. I think it is safe to assume that
most of the functions within the software are designed to mimic an airplane instrument
panel as much as possible, especially given that UAV Propulsion Tech states over and
over in their sales material that the Nova Ray “flies” in the water.
to Nova Ray (n.d.), the command and control software the CC uses is Windows-based
and proprietary, but does not go into any more detail. Still, by looking at the screens,
we can see that the images on the laptop are quite similar to what we may find in an
airplane cockpit, particularly the attitude gauge on the left side of the laptop screen that
displays the Nova Ray’s position relative to the horizon. I think it is safe to assume that
most of the functions within the software are designed to mimic an airplane instrument
panel as much as possible, especially given that UAV Propulsion Tech states over and
over in their sales material that the Nova Ray “flies” in the water.
Overall,
I think the Nova Ray’s control console seems well-designed, but there
is one modification I would make: a twin-stick controller. As a gamer, I’m used to using
the left stick of a controller to control movement while using the right stick to control a
camera, and this control setup is so widely used in gaming that I think there would be
a lot of potential crossover between the controls of a video game and that of the Nova
Ray. This is not a novel idea; as far back as 2008, companies like Lockheed Martin were
developing video game-style twin-stick controllers for their drones (Hambling, 2008).
Potential users are already trained in the use of two sticks, and I think that if this was
made an option (like a USB accessory that can be plugged into the included laptop), I
think the Nova Ray could find a wider audience.
is one modification I would make: a twin-stick controller. As a gamer, I’m used to using
the left stick of a controller to control movement while using the right stick to control a
camera, and this control setup is so widely used in gaming that I think there would be
a lot of potential crossover between the controls of a video game and that of the Nova
Ray. This is not a novel idea; as far back as 2008, companies like Lockheed Martin were
developing video game-style twin-stick controllers for their drones (Hambling, 2008).
Potential users are already trained in the use of two sticks, and I think that if this was
made an option (like a USB accessory that can be plugged into the included laptop), I
think the Nova Ray could find a wider audience.
Still,
the Nova Ray is an interesting craft, and its command and control console
seems well put-together. Throw in the option to use a gaming controller, and I just
might think about making a purchase.
seems well put-together. Throw in the option to use a gaming controller, and I just
might think about making a purchase.
References
Engineering 360 (n.d.). 4-axis control industrial joysticks datasheets. Retrieved from
Hambling, D. (2018). Game controllers driving drones, nukes. Retrieved from
https://www.wired.com/2008/07/wargames/
Nova Ray (n.d.). NOVA
RAY inspection class remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Retrieved from
http://www.novaray.com/novaray_outline.htm
Rees, M. (2017). UAV
Propulsion Tech to distribute Nova Ray ROV. Retrieved from
ray-rov/
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