With the maturation of AquaUrsa’s technology, testing became ARVP’s focus. This lead to significant frustration with the robot. Its weight, one accessibility port, and lack of space for subsystems made pool tests difficult and eventually blocked all new potential developments. So, the younger generation of ARVP members sought to create a new robot that doubled the capabilities of AquaUrsa. They created Auri, which was built to two cylindrical hulls to double the internal space of AquaUrsa and create more access points for subsystems. The hull was then surrounded by a frame of flat external platforms for subsystems. At this point, the hull and frame closely resembled a tie-fight from Stars Wars, so the team leaned into the aesthetic!
However, Auri’s design was becoming unachievably expensive - just the hull, frame, and internals cost ARVP’s entire annual budget. During Auri’s debut in RoboSub 2017, the entire robot flooded. While there was no permanent damaged, the required spares proved too expensive and the team couldn’t afford subsystems to improve the robot. To resolve the issue, ARVP brought back the Admin team from the early 2000’s. Initially, this subteam focused almost entirely on gaining funds to further Auri’s design. Through the now defunct USEED platform, the team was able to consistently fundraise over $10k annually for purchases like the Doppler Velocity Log, servos for subsystems, and thrusters. These additions, along with significant improvements to Auri’s vision system, allowed the team to win 4th place in RoboSub 2019.
COVID then stopped ARVP in its tracks. The team was unable to access Auri or its workspace for a full year. So, members focused on the conceptual design for its next robot, Arctos. Its initial design was based off x-wings, but it was simplified multiple times to create a manufacturable shape. With little testing, communication, or hands on experience, Arctos’ hull and frame were created in this time. Sadly, ARVP had no opportunities to gain new members throughout 2020 and 2021 - the team size dwindled to 8 at its lowest and had almost completely turned over to brand new members in early 2022. The ARVP members of 2022 decided to revert back to Auri so they could be ready for RoboSub 2022. The entire year was simply spent relearning the software stack, understanding what competition logistics/deliverables were required, and rebuilding the torpedoes. Luckily, the team was able to find its footing in the early days of RoboSub 2022 and achieved 4th place.
After the competition, the team decided it had to essentially reboot ARVP. Going into school year, the team would move to Arctos, entirely redevelop the software stack, create a new website, build out every subteam, purchase new equipment, and aim to win RoboSub 2023. Fall 2022 was spent gaining both funds and members - over $100k was raised and 60 new students joined the team! Consequently, most of the semester was spent onboarding and developing design systems. At the same time, the executives had to fix Arctos. The hull from 2020 failed to pressurized and needed major reworking. Additionally, previous designs had not accounted for wire harness space in the hull which, leaving no space for internal batteries. Sorting these two issues, along with creating a basic software stack, took months of effort.
Arctos was finally ready for team use in Winter 2023. To create pressure to succeed, ARVP planned a sponsorship event in April where donors, past members, and potential sponsors would gather to see the new robot unveiled. The newly expanded team worked tirelessly for four moths to improve the software stack, fix mechanical issues, and refine electrical designs. Just in time for the event, Arctos was able to autonomously complete RoboSub 2023’s qualification task. Thus, the last for months were spent testing Arctos’s vision system, completing competition challenges, and completing competition deliverables. Four whole months of testing and deliverables proved incredibly fruitful. At RoboSub 2023, ARVP was able to take 26 members to competition, won third place, was the best performing team from North America, won best video, won best design presentation, and received special awards for data sharing.