SAUC-E — Student Autonomous Underwater Challenge - Europe

The UWE 2010 UAV

SAUC-E challenges the next generation of engineers to design and build an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) and then perform realistic missions in the underwater environment. The event is designed to encourage young engineers and scientists to think about underwater technology and its future possibilities, as well as fostering interest in innovation and technology, and encouraging careers in the field.

SAUC-E 2009

Quinetic Ocean Basin

Eight university teams from across Europe competed at the Qinetiq Ocean Basin Tank with vehicles they had designed and built themselves at the fourth annual SAUC-E competition, the third time it had been held in the UK.

Following four days of practice and qualifying, the top 4 teams qualified for the final on Friday with the remaining four teams entering into the 'Plate Competition' that was held in the practice pool. The final competition involved the teams attempting to complete the hardest SAUC-E course to date, with the docking box providing a huge challenge to the teams. For the first time, the teams that did not qualify for the final on the Friday competed in their own competition in the practice pool. Although the teams' positions for the main event were based on a variety of criteria, including a presentation and technical journal, it was decided that the plate final would be contested on the performance in the pool alone. UWE team made a first entry this year and, according to judges, did very well.

The UWE 2009 SAUCE team
(from left to right - Paul Levene, Marios Georgiou, Tom Rooney, Simon Chambers, sitting Paul O'Dowd)

DSTL Review (2009):

"A new entrant for this year's competition, UWE, showed exceptional promise. With just months to construct their vehicle and with a limited budget the team did extremely well. Although the vehicle struggled when autonomous, on a tether it showed great speed and control. After only having a 1ft deep testing pool during construction the team held their breath as their vehicle stayed watertight on a last minute dive to 6m. Definitely a contender in future competitions."

SAUC-E 2010

The NATO Underwater Research Centre in La Spezia

The 2010 competition is being organised by NURC, a NATO Underwater Research Centre located in La Spezia, Italy. It was held at the NURC waterfront, a sheltered harbour with salt water and limited visibility, a significant change from previous competitions, adding to the goal to have AUVs perform in a realistic environment. This was the 5^th. annual competition in which 9 teams took part.

After 16 months since first engaging with the project our team has made a very good progress and was awarded the 'Next generation AUV design' prize.

The UWE 2010 SAUCE team
(standing, left to right : James Taylor, Sanja Dogramadzi, Gareth Griffiths, Alan Broun.
Sitting : Antonia Tzemanaki, Tom Rooney, George Terzakis)