BengalSub is proud to announce our participation in the RoboSub 2024 competition. As Bangladesh’s pioneering team in this prestigious international underwater robotics competition, we are committed to showcasing innovative engineering solutions while representing our nation on the global stage.

The Road to RoboSub 2024

Project Overview

RoboSub challenges teams to design and build autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) capable of navigating through a series of tasks without human intervention. Our team has been diligently working to develop a cutting-edge AUV that combines advanced hardware architecture with sophisticated software algorithms.

Our AUV, named “BengalSub,” features:

• Advanced propulsion system with 6 degrees of freedom
• Robust aluminum frame with hydrodynamic design
• Comprehensive sensor array including DVL, IMU, and hydrophones
• Computer vision system using multiple cameras
• Custom PCBs for efficient power distribution

Team Structure

The success of our project relies on the collaborative efforts of our dedicated sub-teams, each focusing on critical aspects of AUV development:

Mechanical Team

Our mechanical engineers are responsible for designing and fabricating the physical structure of the AUV. This includes:

1. Frame design and construction
2. Waterproof housing for electronics
3. Propulsion system integration
4. Ballast and buoyancy control
5. Mechanical component testing

Electrical Team

The electrical team develops the power systems and sensor integration:

• Power distribution and management
• Custom PCB design and manufacturing
• Sensor integration (IMU, DVL, pressure)
• Acoustic system implementation
• Cable management and waterproofing

Software Team

Our software engineers create the autonomous control systems:

“The true challenge lies in developing software that can process sensor data in real-time and make intelligent decisions in an unpredictable underwater environment.”

— Alex, Software Team Lead

The software architecture includes:

• Computer vision algorithms for object detection
• Navigation and motion planning
• Acoustic signal processing
• System integration and interfacing
• Simulation environment for testing

Technical Design Team

This team bridges the gap between departments:

• System requirements documentation
• Technical drawings and CAD models
• Integration planning
• Design review coordination
• Competition preparation

Development Timeline

Our path to RoboSub 2024 follows a structured timeline to ensure all systems are thoroughly designed, tested, and refined:

Technical Innovations

Bengal Tiger incorporates several innovative features:

1. Modular Design

Our AUV employs a modular architecture that allows for quick component replacement and reconfiguration:

# Example of our modular software architecture
class PropulsionModule:
    def __init__(self, config_file):
        self.thrusters = self._load_thruster_config(config_file)
        self.controller = ThrusterController(self.thrusters)

    def set_velocity(self, linear, angular):
        # Convert desired motion to thruster commands
        thruster_forces = self.controller.calculate_thruster_forces(linear, angular)
        return self.controller.apply_forces(thruster_forces)

    def _load_thruster_config(self, config_file):
        # Load thruster configuration from file
        # This allows easy reconfiguration without code changes
        return ThrusterConfiguration(config_file)

2. Advanced Vision System

Our computer vision system can detect and classify objects in challenging underwater conditions through a multi-stage pipeline:

• Image pre-processing for clarity in turbid water
• Deep learning-based object detection using YOLOv8
• Pose estimation for precise navigation
• Real-time tracking algorithms

3. Acoustic Localization

The acoustic localization system enables our AUV to pinpoint sound sources underwater with high precision. This system integrates multiple hydrophones with custom signal processing algorithms to triangulate the position of acoustic pingers.

Technical Challenges

Developing an AUV presents unique challenges:

1. Waterproofing - Ensuring all electronic components remain dry in a pressurized environment
2. Communication - Electromagnetic waves don’t propagate well underwater
3. Navigation - Limited visibility and absence of GPS underwater
4. Power Management - Balancing performance with battery life
5. Weight Distribution - Maintaining neutral buoyancy and stability

Community Engagement

BengalSub is committed to promoting STEM education and underwater robotics in Bangladesh:

• Workshop Series - Conducting robotics workshops at local schools
• Open Source Contributions - Sharing selected codebase components publicly
• Social Media Presence - Documenting our journey to inspire future engineers

Videos of Our Progress

Testing Our Vision System

Thruster Testing

Sponsorship Opportunities

We welcome partnerships with organizations interested in supporting technological innovation and STEM education in Bangladesh. Sponsorship packages include:

• Platinum Sponsor - Logo on AUV, website, and all materials; speaking opportunity at events
• Gold Sponsor - Logo on AUV, website, and promotional materials
• Silver Sponsor - Logo on website and promotional materials
• Bronze Sponsor - Logo on website

“Our collaboration with industry partners not only provides financial support but also connects our students with valuable mentorship and potential career opportunities.”

— BengalSub Faculty Advisor

Join Our Journey

We invite you to follow our progress as we prepare for RoboSub 2024. Connect with us on social media or contact us directly to learn more about our project, sponsorship opportunities, or potential collaborations.

Together, we can showcase Bangladesh’s engineering talent on the global stage while advancing the field of underwater robotics.

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