Untethering Communications

The remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Jason rests on the deck of the R/V Atlantis in August 2011 following a day of successful test dives with a new communications and control system. Rather than relying on the ROV’s tether to transmit information, engineers were able to transmit video through an optical link, which in turn permitted a pilot to control the vehicle’s thrusters and manipulators. Engineers eventually hope to send control commands through an acoustic link that will permit fully untethered remote control. (Photo by Tom Lanagan, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)