Learn, Design, Build
The Underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles Team (UWROV) at the University of Washington is an interdisciplinary club where students make underwater robots.
Our unique mix of passion in both oceanography and engineering results in amazing ROVs and a fun team culture.
In the past four years, UWROV has consistently placed top 10 at the MATE ROV World Championship.
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Who we are
UWROV was founded over 10 years ago by UW Oceanography students interested in ocean technology and has continued to expand its scope to other engineering and marine science disciplines ever since. Our team has competed in the MATE ROV Competition since 2011, as well as supporting regional events through volunteering and mentorship.
In 2024, we placed 8th overall at the 2024 MATE World Championships, performing very well with our marketing display and technical documentation, earning 4th and 5th place respectively.
Most recently, we continued our streak of placing in the top 10 teams at the 2025 MATE World Championships and received the Innovation Award. We earned 1st place in the Engineering Presentation and Technical Documentation, which was later published in the Journal of Ocean Technology. We also placed 1st in the Machine Learning Challenge.
We strive to continue giving UW students hands-on experience in ocean technology, interdisciplinary engineering, and professional skills.
Our Work
Mechanical
Designs and manufactures the frame, pressure hold, manipulator, and other systems on the ROV. The mechanical team makes heavy use of CAD Software (Computer Aided Design) and rapid prototyping for precise engineering.
Electrical
Designs, implements, and supports the electronic systems on the ROV such as internal circuitry, sensors, and thrusters. Ensures safety and functionality of ROV, making use of ECAD (Electrical CAD) software to design custom circuit boards.
Software
Develops command & control software for our ROV, including pilot-facing interfaces as well as autonomous systems. Works with machine learning, computer vision, embedded, and browser-based technologies to meet competition specs and run the ROV.
Business
Organizes outreach and connects with sponsors and media partners. Composes competition-critical materials such as marketing displays and technical documentation.
UWROV 