UIU Students to Represent Bangladesh at Global Underwater Robotics Championship in the USA

• Jun 4, 2025

A student team from United International University (UIU) has earned a coveted spot at the MATE ROV World Championship, an international competition focused on underwater robotics innovation. The prestigious event will be held in Michigan, USA, from June 19 to 21, 2025, featuring teams from over 20 nations.

The UIU team, known as UIU Mariner, secured their position through a rigorous selection process that assessed engineering design, mission execution, documentation, and team coordination. Their success reflects months of dedication and innovation in the field of marine technology.

The team is led by Anika Tabassum Orchi, a student from UIU’s Department of Computer Science & Engineering (CSE). “This achievement showcases our problem-solving abilities and our commitment to real-world marine challenges,” said Anika.

Their entry into the competition is an advanced ROV named ‘Scorpion’, a sophisticated underwater vehicle equipped with night-vision cameras, real-time environmental sensors, and a custom-built robotic arm capable of precise underwater manipulation. The system is powered by multiple thrusters, allowing it to navigate in all six directions with stability and control.

Md Darain Khan, responsible for software, control systems, and piloting the ROV, emphasized the integration of modern technologies. “Our ROV features object detection, obstacle avoidance, and real-time data transmission to the surface for efficient operation,” he said.

The team’s development journey took over seven months, involving continuous improvement through seven different prototypes. Their initial model, affectionately named ‘Hydra Crab’, began with humble materials such as a tiffin box frame, gradually evolving into a technically advanced solution.

The competition mimics real-life marine tasks like monitoring invasive species, exploring maritime archaeological sites, conducting renewable energy inspections, and deploying ocean floats. “We’ve tailored our ROV to handle these missions with precision and ease,” said Darain.

The development process was not without challenges. Neutral buoyancy and signal stability under water were major hurdles. “We had to redesign the buoyancy system and shift to shielded cables after repeated testing to ensure a clear video feed,” Anika noted. Automated thruster control systems were added to reduce the pilot’s manual workload during complex maneuvers.

Project Manager Md. Farhan Zaman credited the university’s leadership and faculty for their critical support. “We had full access to resources, labs, and funding, which allowed us to focus completely on innovation,” he said.

The full UIU Mariner team includes:

• Anika Tabassum Orchi – Team Lead

• Md. Farhan Zaman – Project Manager & R&D Lead

• Md Darain Khan – Software & Control System Lead, ROV Pilot

• Md Alamgir – Mechanical Lead

• Md Mehrab Hossain Khan – Logistics Lead

• Nafisa Tabassum – Marketing Lead

While most members are from the CSE department, Md Alamgir represents the Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) department.

“This is a significant opportunity to showcase Bangladeshi talent on a global stage,” said Md Alamgir. The team is now preparing intensively for the final event, focusing on system stress testing, mission drills, and detailed planning.

Md Mehrab Hossain Khan, in charge of logistics, said they are making sure everything is in place—from hardware to mental preparedness—for the global competition. Nafisa Tabassum, the team’s marketing lead, highlighted a larger goal: “We hope this initiative sparks national interest in marine robotics and supports the development of Bangladesh’s blue economy.”