UROP Project

Development of a Low-Cost Remotely Operated Vehicle for Underwater Structural Damage Inspection

Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV); Underwater Inspection; Structural Health Monitoring; Structural Damage Detection; Computer Vision; Robotics; Underwater Imaging; Post-Disaster Assessment; Data Collection; Image Annotation

Research Mentor: Dr. Juyeong Choi, Juyeong
Department, College, Affiliation: Civil and Environmental Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: jchoi3@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Dr. Roshan Panahi Roshan
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: rp25q@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:

Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 3
Relevant Majors: Civil Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Electrical Engineering; Computer Engineering; and Computer Science
Project Location: RIDER Center (1753 W Paul Dirac Dr, Tallahassee, FL 32310)
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes
Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 7, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:

• Day: Monday, August 31
  Start Time: 3:00
  End Time: 3:30
  Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/96730743395?from=addon
• Day: Tuesday, September 1
  Start Time: 4:00
  End Time: 4:30
  Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/96536756460?from=addon
• Day: Wednesday, September 2
  Start Time: 3:00
  End Time: 3:30
  Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/98752633677?from=addon
• Day: Thursday, September 3
  Start Time: 4:00
  End Time: 4:30
  Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/93376900133

Project Description

This project aims to develop and evaluate a low-cost remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for post-disaster underwater structural damage inspection. The ROV will be assembled using commercially available components and tested under realistic underwater conditions, including variations in lighting, turbidity, suspended particles, and occlusion. The platform will be used to collect underwater images and videos of structural components and damage. These data will support the evaluation and improvement of computer vision models developed by the research team for automated structural damage detection. Ultimately, the project seeks to advance safer, more accessible, and cost-effective methods for underwater structural health monitoring following natural disasters.

Research Tasks: • Attend training sessions in the machine lab, as needed, to become familiar with the required tools, equipment, and safety procedures.
• Using the provided tools and components, assemble the ROV by following the video and written instructions shown in Figure 1.
• Test and evaluate the ROV in a pool environment.
• Assist the research team with collecting underwater data from real-world structures.
• Assist our computer vision expert in data annotation, analysis, writing reports, and presentations as needed.


Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Ability to work in person in the research lab approximately 7 hours per week
Self-motivation and ability to work independently
Dependability and discipline
Strong attention to detail
Interest in hands-on experimental work
Willingness to learn how to use laboratory tools, equipment, and electronic components
Ability to follow written instructions, safety procedures, and experimental protocols
Ability to work collaboratively with faculty members, graduate students, and other researchers