Development of Underwater Small Cultivating Robot “EXPLOWER”

Abstract

In order to conserve the coastal environment, conservation of eelgrass beds is progressed by volunteer group. Since the seabed needs to be softened for the growth of eelgrass, seabed cultivation is planned. In this article, we have been developing the small underwater cultivating robot named “EXPLOWER”. EXPLOWER is made by electrifying a cultivator on land. The developed robot was tested in sand box as land operation test. As results of the test, the robot is able to cultivate soft ground as sandbox, but cultivation claws were digging to downward. Therefore, the robot seems to have enough power to cultivate seabed, but arrangement of propulsion mechanism is need to reconsider.