International Journal Of Coastal, Offshore And Environmental Engineering(ijcoe)

International Journal Of Coastal, Offshore And Environmental Engineering(ijcoe)

Design and Application of Multifunctional Robots for Deep-Sea Exploration and Rescue Operations

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors
1 Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman, Iran
2 1Department of Civil Engineering – Structure, Islamic Azad University of West Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/ijcoe.2026.543340.1296
Abstract
Despite ongoing advancements in science and technology, human casualties persist in deep-sea and subterranean environments due to hazardous conditions, limited accessibility, and insufficient safety measures. These risks are exacerbated by the lack of effective innovations in project execution and emergency response. The extreme depths of oceans and drilled wells often render direct human intervention impractical, especially for rescue, inspection, and maintenance tasks. This research presents the design and evaluation of a multifunctional robotic system capable of operating in high-risk environments where human access is restricted or unsafe. The robot is engineered to perform a wide range of tasks, including exploration beneath ocean ice, seabed data collection, geological and geotechnical analysis, rescue operations, sampling in toxic zones, and interventions in corrosive or contaminated conditions. Experimental results from three pilot projects—spanning water and wastewater systems, oil and gas wells, and underwater environments—demonstrated robot success rates ranging from 80% to 90%. The robot completed welding, cutting, and sampling operations within 1.5 to 2 hours, outperforming traditional methods in terms of safety, speed, and operational efficiency. These findings confirm the robot’s reliability in environments characterized by high pressure, toxic exposure, and limited human accessibility. By replacing manual intervention with autonomous systems, this research highlights the transformative potential of robotics in bridging the gap between scientific theory and industrial practice. The proposed design contributes to safer, more efficient workflows and lays the foundation for future innovations in extreme-environment robotics.
Keywords
Subjects