The MATE (Marine Advanced Technology Education) ROV Competition is an underwater robotics challenge focused on ocean-based solutions, problem solving, and conservation.
This year, inspired by the United Nation’s “10 Years - 10 Challenges - 1 Ocean”, MATE challenges participants to use their engineering skills and creativity to design an ROV (remotely operated vehicle) to complete several ocean montioring tasks underwater.
Visit the MATE ROV Competition website to learn more.
This past June, teams from around the globe joined to compete in the MATE ROV 2024 World Championship. Hosted in Kingsport, TN, this event spanned a three day period where teams engaged in product demos, presentations, and special challenges.
Check out the MATE website for the 2024 winners, official scores, and championship livestreams!
To collect data for scientific research, teams must relocate ocean observing assets by triggering recovery floats, as well as navigating the problems that could arise during retrieval.
Teams determine the spawning location of Lake Sturgeon through graphs and collect samples from the potential site.
Teams administer probiotics to diseased coral, complete coral restoration through transplants, and create a model of the restoration area.
Teams deploy Science Monitoring And Reliable Telecommunications (SMART) cables through waypoints on the simulated seafloor and seamount for ocean observing.
Inspired by the USF funded GO-BGC Project, teams monitor ocean health by designing and constructing a vertical profilling float.
Made up of six students from grades 7-12, the GEARS (General Engineering And Robotics Specialists) ROV team is a homeschool robotics group in the “Ranger” class of MATE.
Established in 2023, the team strives to create effective ROVs through quality engineering while developing skills in leadership, creativity, and problem-solving.
GEARS was tasked with designing and constructing an ROV versatile enough to fulfill tasks related to oceanic and environmental challenges faced by researchers worldwide. Our team examined the problems associated with creating a single robot that can multitask across multiple scenarios and meticulously developed, refined, and assembled our newest robot, the Vaquita 2.0.
Designed to address all challenges outlined by MATE efficiently, the Vaquita 2.0 is equipped with several key features to ensure its success. These features include six powerful Blue Robotics thrusters allowing smooth mobility and enhanced speed, a specialized manipulator with 3D-printed “fingertips” for strong grips on objects of any size, and a high-definition camera giving increased visibility. Backed by skilled engineers, our robot is capable of aiding in various realworld environmental challenges, such as monitoring climate impact and protecting endangered ecosystems.
