Rationale

Each design is a different solution to the propulsion and electrical systems of the ROV.  Each solution approaches the specifications in a different way with emphasis on different capabilities. One design is focused on ease of use for the operator. Another is focused on using power efficiently. The last is focused on maneuverability and speed in the water.

The first design is focused on ease of use by the operator. This comes at a severe cost to capabilities. This design uses two thrusters facing forward, one facing to the right, and one facing upward. This allows it to move in any direction by activating a specific thruster. It also uses an air pump attached to a beach ball for rapid surfacing. These systems keep the complexity of the controls to a minimum. However, due to the dedicated nature of each thruster, resources are often wasted while they sit idle.

The second design focuses on power efficiency. This involves a trade-off for functionality. Instead of moving through the middle of the water it uses a set of wheels to move along the bottom. It also uses a beach ball and air pump for surfacing. This design places additional specifications and limitations on the hull and claw designs. This design would have difficulty performing tasks that are above the bottom of the pool.

The third design is focused on maneuverability and mid-mission flexibility. This comes at a cost to ease of operation. It uses six thrusters mounted on pivots that can change the vector of their thrust as needed. This allows all available thrust to be utilized at any time. This also provides an unparalleled ability to manipulate the pitch and yaw of the ROV. The one drawback to this design is the complexity of operation. The operator must constantly be aware of what direction the thrusters are facing in. The operator will need practice in order to effectively manage six individual thrusters.

After consultation with the team and a review of the design matrix the third alternate solution was chosen. This design was selected for superior mobility and adaptability. In particular this design stood out for the ability to manipulate the pitch of the ROV. This addresses specific limitations of the claw design. The difficulty of controlling the seperate thrusters will be mitigated by the user interface of the controls.