U.Stall - Underwaterrobotics

Project Story – U.Stall | Underwater Robotics Team, Hochschule Esslingen

🌊 What is our project about?

We are U.Stall, the underwater robotics team of Esslingen University of Applied Sciences in Germany. Our goal is to design and build a highly functional Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) to compete in the MATE ROV Competition – a globally recognized competition that challenges students to solve real-world problems using underwater robotics.

🔧 Why did we decide to make it?

As passionate engineering students from the fields of Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Automation, and Industrial Engineering, we saw this project as a unique opportunity to:

Apply theoretical knowledge in a hands-on, interdisciplinary project
Collaborate on a full-scale engineering system from concept to deployment
Represent Germany in an international setting as the first and only German team
Inspire and support younger students and school groups interested in robotics

In our first ever international participation, we proudly achieved:

🥈 2nd place in Technical Documentation

🥈 2nd place in Marketing Presentation

🏅 4th place overall

⚙️ How does it work?

Our ROV stands out with several unique technical features:

Full 6 degrees of freedom using only 6 thrusters, thanks to a custom control algorithm
Modular electronics system for easier development and maintenance
Integrated simulation environment for advanced pilot training
Sensor suite including IMU and pressure sensors to enable closed-loop control
Custom-developed manipulation systems for performing mission tasks underwater

For the 2025 season, our development focus is on: