ERDC’s ongoing testing and deployment of an underwater robotic vehicle – or ROV – is providing a crucial service to USACE districts, keeping a close eye on our nation’s aquatic infrastructure and helping monitor dredging operations.
The team driving this technology is also developing new techniques on how to use the commercially available technology, transitioning that experience to others in USACE and beyond.
MORE INFORMATION:
Listen to the Underwater ROV podcast episode at www.PowerofERDCPodcast.org/34-underwater-rov
Watch a video of the Underwater ROV podcast episode: www.PowerofERDCPodcast.org/34-underwater-rov_video
View an early video feature on the Underwater ROV program: https://youtu.be/zWKYa3Mbl4U?si=xoIpVOxl6BYPyZv0
Read more about the system and the support team:
Technical note detailing a demonstration of the ROV for inspecting the Chicago electrical fish dispersal barrier: https://hdl.handle.net/11681/49891
Rover technology helps USACE keep tabs on aging infrastructure, dredging operations: www.erdc.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Stories/Article/4280074/rover-technology-helps-usace-keep-tabs-on-aging-infrastructure-dredging-operati/
Rover technology helps USACE keep tabs with dredging operations: https://www.dredgingtoday.com/2025/08/21/rover-technology-helps-usace-keep-tabs-with-dredging-operations/
Revolutionizing Underwater Inspections: ROVs to the Rescue!: https://www.techbriefs.com/component/content/article/53828-revolutionizing-underwater-inspections-rovs-to-the-rescue