HROVs

HROVs, or Human Remotely Operated Vehicles, represent a specialized class of underwater robots. Unlike traditional ROVs that are controlled by a pilot in a remote location, HROVs are designed to incorporate a human operator directly within the vehicle's habitat. This allows for enhanced sensory input and potentially more intuitive control over complex underwater tasks. The primary distinction lies in the presence of a submersible cabin where the human operator resides during operation.

These vehicles are typically larger than standard ROVs due to the need for life support systems and living quarters for the pilot. The operator within an HROV can directly observe the environment through viewports and interact with controls using their own physical senses, rather than relying solely on video feeds and joysticks. This direct human presence can be advantageous for tasks requiring fine manipulation, complex decision-making, or prolonged periods of observation where remote fatigue might be a factor. HROVs are employed in a variety of applications, including deep-sea research, underwater construction, salvage operations, and inspections of critical subsea infrastructure. Their development aims to bridge the gap between fully autonomous systems and traditional remotely operated vehicles by leveraging human cognitive abilities in challenging underwater environments.