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Human Occupied Vehicles (HOVs) Human occupied research submersibles take scientists and engineers directly to the seafloor. They usually accommodate three people and are built to withstand the extreme pressure thousands of meters below the surface of the ocean while making observations and conducting experiments.
Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) ROVs are sophisticated, tethered robots that allow researchers to make observations, collect rocks and animals and conduct experiments remotely, through the use of a fiber optic cable from the ship to the vehicle on the seafloor.
Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) AUVs are robotic vehicles that are pre-programmed and deployed to drift, drive, or glide through the ocean without real-time intervention from human operators. Operators communicate with AUVs through satellite signals or underwater acoustic beacons. AUVs allow scientists to conduct other experiments from a surface ship while the AUV is off collecting data.
