Students of the UNED, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos and the Complutense University are building the submarine ‘Isaac Peral y Caballero’. Named after the Spanish inventor, the unit will participate in international competition RoboSub , which will take place on July 16 in San Diego (USA).

They face off with top universities worldwide. “We have universities that are among the top 100 worldwide,” explains Julio Guillen, a student of Computer Systems Engineering, UNED and Software team leader of the project. “We are the first Spanish team to compete,” he adds.

In total, about 40 young students are organized in the non-profit association FuVe-E ( Future Vehicles and Entrepreneurs). And even if they have a lower budget and fewer years of experience in this type of events, go for broke.

“The limitations come from your mind: if you think it’s impossible, of course, is impossible,” said Gabriel Guerrero, also a student of Computer Systems Engineering, UNED and responsible group of sensors and electronics.

Of the volcano El Hierro Costa Concordia

Their knowledge may be tested in the American contest. In RoboSub will arise a series of tests that devices must meet. For example, will have to locate objects underwater, crossing structures and shoot projectiles. But the ‘Isaac Peral and Knight’ will be capable of that and more.

“All the groups incorporate a single computer, but we have decided to buy 3 so our submarine is a supercomputer with 12 processors, graphics acceleration cards 3 and 32 gigs of RAM,” says Guillen. “We are testing us as engineers,” he adds. The submarine also has three-dimensional view (instead of the typical camera to detect colors) and smart torpedoes.

All these devices allow, with minor modifications, the device has specific applications such as shipwrecks located in places where visibility is zero. And thanks to the fusion of sensors, micro-cracks can be analyzed in the hull of a boat without divers.

Because one of the main features of the device is completely autonomous. Thanks to her, could be used in cases such as the Costa Concordia, heeled on the Italian island of Giglio, the review of the nuclear plant in Fukushima (Japan) and inspection of the volcano of Las Calmas Sea on the island of El Hierro.

Reduce costs ten to one

Build a submarine is a major economic effort. So far, FuVe-E has the support of the ETSI of Naval Engineers of the UPM, and companies and SAES Eyeos. Important aids are not enough.

“The problem in Spain is that investors do not want to take risks,” laments Guerrero. In fact, several public and private organizations have offered financial help, but when they have completed construction of the device. Until then, have to continue as they are.

All money received is spent on the components, and research, bear in any way to your pocket, because your time is. Moreover, young people are investing their own money literally, buying some mechanisms.

To reduce costs, they make everything: cameras, torpedoes, sensors and other components. So get a cost reduction of ten to one, but in return, take much longer. “We’re going to bed at four o’clock,” says Guerrero. Weekends for Guillen, have ceased to exist.

Only the first

Despite all difficulties, with much effort, are moving forward. Gone are the days when some students pointed to animated project and soon after left him. There was a time when the situation was so critical that they came to consider whether to continue, but managed to convince Carlos Guillen Matilla, the ‘father’ of the idea and friend, to not give up.

Today the situation has improved and only think about the future. “We have paid or expect to have, because if some money left over here, our idea is to make another submarine for the next contest, and if further superfluous, an airplane,” he adds Guillen. His desire is that students from catching your philosophy and begin to realize “that the thing is not just going through the classes.”

Win or not the competition, what is clear is that all these young people be amazed at San Diego. The organizers were amazed when Guerrero and Guillen sought to increase half inch diameter torpedoes. This could incorporate the mechanisms fins, which included 8 SP processors, capable of mapping the environment.

“When we explained the reason the person responsible for the competition, which has two doctorates, he said,” you’re going to do what? “. All in a torpedito 15 centimeters long, “notes Guillén with a grin. This illusion, knowledge, creativity and effort that have already achieved what at first was a utopia a reality today. And notice to mariners: the underwater journey has only just begun.