Like the land-based autonomous robots and airborne helicopters before it, the SubjuGator minisubmarine has tremendous potential for research in both military and civilian applications. Research and development of the SubjuGator has diverse capabilities, from serving aboard military submarines as scouts to hunt and destroy underwater mines, to inspecting pipelines and telephone cables. The sub is designed to be neutrally buoyant with the chamber filled with water, so if the sub picks something up, it can adjust its buoyancy to compensate. The Machine Intelligence lab is a place where students bring their individual talent and creativity and apply it to a unique and invigorating project. The enthusiasm and dedication for the submarine project is evident in the tenacity of those involved.
Students are there because they want to be, and they often remain well into the night.
This research has enabled her to take class projects to new depths by modifying them for underwater capabilities. Through their skill and passion to succeed, the students have created an autonomous robot of purely unique design. The submarine project is highly detailed yet broad, as it draws expertise from all aspects of engineering. The submarine is constructed from passion as well as skill. All of the engineers involved the students and professors, cite the personal satisfaction that comes from participating in such a detailed project.