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Budding marine scientists at an event in Edinburgh’s Dynamic Earth become ocean explorers for the day by operating an underwater vehicle 120 miles away in a lab at SAMS.

As part of the North Sea 3D event at the science centre, part of the Edinburgh Science Festival, �鶹ӰԺstaff gave over control of one of their remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), which was sitting in a test tank in SAMS’ Scottish Marine Robotics Facility.

Through a remote connection, visitors to the event were able to steer the ROV around the test tank and take on a series of challenges.

Dr John Halpin, a marine analyst and modeller from SAMS, said: “Children really gravitated towards the exhibition as they tried their hand at controlling the ROV. The best thing was seeing them realise it wasn’t a simulated computer game, but a real robot, in a real tank, more than 100 miles away.

“They loved getting a wave and an applause from the scientists at �鶹ӰԺwhen they managed to pick something up with the ROV and move it into a basket – it was a little moment of magic.”

Attendees could also virtually swim round an offshore wind turbine in a VR headset, exploring the marine growth and other life that is associated with these structures. The VR experience was designed as part of a collaboration with Central Saint Martins - University of the Arts London.

The event attracted around 950 people and was part of the SAMS-based North Sea 3D project, which uses ROVs and artificial intelligence to measure marine growth on structures.

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