Remotely Operated Vehicles - Underwater ROV

Underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle manufacturers and ROV companies; ROV Drone specialists for underwater inspection and cinematography
Overview Remotely Operated Vehicles - Underwater ROV
By Staff Writer Last updated: April 10th, 2025

Underwater ROVs

Underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROV) are a subset of Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) that are directly controlled in real-time by a human operator rather than featuring autonomous operation. Underwater ROVs are designed to overcome the limitations of human divers via a number of factors, such as time spent underwater and maximum depth, and are also safer than employing manned submersibles.

Heavy-duty long tether ROV drone

Teledyne Marine’s heavy duty long tether ROV

Operated from a support vessel or the shore, marine drones are usually connected to their base of operations via an umbilical tether that provides power, communications and data transfer. Tetherless ROVs are rare due to the fact that radio waves do not travel well through water. However, solutions based on laser/free space optics (FSO) and underwater acoustic technologies are currently under development.

Launch and Recovery

Small portable ROVs can be deployed and recovered by hand. Larger ROV drones may require a LARS (launch and recovery system), which consists of a crane and winch mechanism, and may also utilise a cradle to hold the vehicle as it is raised from or lowered into the water.

Underwater ROVs can also be launched from a moonpool, which is a chamber or opening in a vessel that provides access to the water. This method allows marine drones to be launched in rougher sea conditions, as operators do not have to deal with the effects of increased roll and pitch on a crane arm. Moonpools also allow underwater drones to be launched remotely from unmanned surface vessels (USVs). The USV acts as a data and communications relay between the base of operations and the ROV.

Tethered ROV Manufacturers

Blue Robotics tethered ROV, BlueROV2

Deep-sea ROVs may require a Tether Management System (TMS), which regulates the length of the tether to minimize the effects of drag forces on the cable and decouples the movement of the support vessel from the underwater drone.

Underwater ROV Classes

Underwater ROV

Underwater ROV by RJE Oceanbotics

The most common classification scheme used by ROV manufacturers for underwater remotely operated vehicles is based on size.

Work-class are the largest and most powerful underwater ROV, able to operate high-power equipment such as heavy-duty manipulators and cable-layers. They utilise a hydraulic pump to allow them to manoeuvre at greater depths, which can be tens of thousands of feet underwater.

Observation- or inspection-class are smaller than work-class and are typically deployed in rivers, lakes, and near-shore environments. They may be fitted with cameras and other sensors, as well as basic manipulators and other tools.

Mini- or micro are portable underwater drones that can typically be carried by one person, and are usually used for pure underwater inspection or sensing tasks due to their limited payload capabilities.

Propulsion and Payloads

offshore rov for underwater inspection

Copenhagen Subsea’s ROV thrusters mounted on Gorilla ROV

ROV underwater vehicles manoeuvre using thrusters, which are electrically or hydraulically powered propellers. ROV companies will usually incorporate multiple thrusters to allow the vehicle to move in multiple directions. Electric thrusters are usually used on smaller battery-powered ROVs, whereas hydraulic thrusters are used on the larger work-classes due to the size and weight of hydraulic equipment.

Basic payloads typically include still and video cameras protected by high-pressure domes, as well as lights that enable visibility at depth. They can also be equipped with a wide variety of other payloads, including environmental sampling equipment, manipulators and robotic arms, and sonar

Applications

Professional ROV Underwater Inspection Vehicle

Boxfish ROV, professional underwater inspection ROV by Boxfish Research

ROV drones are used for a wide variety of applications within marine construction, industry, research and defense. These may include underwater pipeline and oil rig construction and maintenance, environmental sampling and observation, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), mine countermeasures (MCM) and more.

Products (17)

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R7 ROV

Compact observation class ROV, 300m depth rated

Compact observation class ROV, 300m depth rated
...0m depth rated underwater vehicle, equipped with:...
Seascan Mk2

Lightweight self-propelled ROV for inspection missions

Lightweight self-propelled ROV for inspection missions
...self-propelled ROV dedicated to inspection missions. Its unique architecture ensures second to none...
Mission Specialist Ally ROV

Compact ROV designed for optimal power and lift

Compact ROV designed for optimal power and lift
...ion Specialist ROV is designed to provide optimal power and lift in a compact and maneuverable...
Mission Specialist Defender

Heavy-payload ROV for complex missions

Heavy-payload ROV for complex missions
... the versatile ROV can move in any direction and maintain active pitch for upward or downward...
Mission Specialist Pro 5

Versatile ROV optimized for speed and efficiency

Versatile ROV optimized for speed and efficiency
...5 is a compact ROV designed for applications requiring greater speed and efficiency. Featuring a...
Custom Mission Specialist ROV Series

Customized ROVs with interchangeable modular components

Customized ROVs with interchangeable modular components
...ion Specialist ROVs are highly modular and customizable underwater robotics platforms that can be...
PHOTON Remotely Operated Vehicle

The ultimate portable and toughest micro ROV on the market.

The ultimate portable and toughest micro ROV on the market.
...oughest little ROV on the market. Powered by six thrusters, engineered with aluminium and carbon... ...ican case, the ROV is easily portable. The battery tube is certified for both passenger and cargo...
SRV-8 MDV

Underwater robotic mine disposal & EOD vehicle

Underwater robotic mine disposal & EOD vehicle
... a specialized ROV designed to support both commercial and naval EOD teams. Featuring...
SRV-8X Optimus

The larger, more powerful version of the SRV-8 ROV.

The larger, more powerful version of the SRV-8 ROV.
...ing and deeper underwater missions. The ROV is battery-operated, permitting improved range and ease...
Boxfish Alpha ROV

Next-generation ROV for inspection & observation

Next-generation ROV for inspection & observation
...ext-generation underwater ROV designed for inspection, observation and light intervention work....
Boxfish ROV – Remotely Operated Vehicle

Professional ROV for underwater inspections, observation and remote expeditions

Professional ROV for underwater inspections, observation and remote expeditions
The Boxfish ROV is an advanced video ROV system that delivers sharp, uncompressed, near-zero latency... High-Accuracy Underwater Photogrammetry...
Boxfish Luna – Cinematography Underwater Drone

Advanced submersible ROV for professional underwater cinematographers

Advanced submersible ROV for professional underwater cinematographers
...advanced video ROV for professional cinematographers, delivering 8K video and 50MP image capture at...
ARV-i – Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

Resident AUV for long-duration inspections and monitoring

Resident AUV for long-duration inspections and monitoring
... monitoring of underwater assets. With the ability to stay underwater for up to 12 months at a time,...
REVOLUTION Remotely Operated Vehicle

Mission ready with advanced stabilization and payload capabilities.

Mission ready with advanced stabilization and payload capabilities.
......anced stabilization allows users to pilot the vehicle precisely underwater, even in high current.... ...t and flexible underwater capabilities for complex deep ocean missions. It consists of six thrusters...
PIVOT Remotely Operated Vehicle

Providing power and control with portability.

Providing power and control with portability.
... platform, the ROV allows users to complete missions in a timely manner.... ... This package provides the pilot with a map of ROV positioning, which can set points of interest....
DTG3 Remotely Operated Vehicle

Intelligent and advanced capabilities for underwater surveys

Intelligent and advanced capabilities for underwater surveys
...ervation class ROV, designed for quick deployment and reliable underwater surveys.... ...ion-class mini ROV designed for quick deployment and low-maintenance operation. Fitting completely...
SRV-8 Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle

ROV robot for underwater inspections, surveys and research

ROV robot for underwater inspections, surveys and research
...y manoeuvrable underwater robot powered by a unique 8-thruster DVC (dynamic vector control) system...

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