Robotics and Automation

Innovative approaches to increase efficiency, safety, and capabilities

We increase productivity and efficiency of operations, enable new capabilities and operations in the field, and minimize human exposure to hazardous situations by integrating robotic and automated technical solutions. 
Our robotics and automation solutions support a wide range of applications and industries.
  • Biotechnology Ltblue 01

    Biotechnology Research

  • Oil&Gas

    Oil and Gas 

  • Military 01

    Military

  • ISS PNG Icon

    Aerospace

We incorporate industry-leading robotic manipulators, end effectors and tools, sensors, control systems, and vision technologies to execute mission-critical tasks in highly-complex environments.
Our expertise and extensive experience have established the group’s position as a principal provider of mechanical, electronic, and software support for robotic projects at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Terabot® Manipulators

Keeping military and law enforcement personnel safe

The Terabot family of robotic arms includes a range of multi-degrees-of-freedom (DOF), all-electric manipulators. These robotic systems augment the ability of the operators to work in hazardous environments by limiting or eliminating direct human interaction with dangerous items or situations.
Terabot Manipulators Data Sheet
Terabot-S Manipulator

Terabot-S offers an excellent payload-to-weight ratio and is platform independent, enabling the fitting of the manipulator to virtually any unmanned ground vehicle (UGV). The robotic arm features an optional spatially correspondent (SC) master user interface for incredibly intuitive control—enabling the operator to focus on the task, not the robot.

  • Flexible system performs complex tasks
  • Intuitive control greatly minimizes requirements for training and reduces user error
  • Quick-release interface allows easy installation of tools and sensors
  • Joint clutches protect against overloads
  • Supports operations in harsh environmental conditions

Humanoid Robots

Safely Performing complex operations in harsh environments
Our specially-engineered robotic technology focuses on increasing the productivity, safety, and cost efficiency in the space exploration, aerospace, subsea, military, disaster response, and automotive industries.
Reducing Risk and Increasing Productivity

Many systems operating in harsh environments, from satellites in space to offshore oil and gas platforms, were designed to be serviced by human technicians. Anthropomorphic robots mimic human physiology and use tools to perform safe and complex operations in harsh—and sometimes dangerous—environments.

Oceaneering continues to play a pivotal role in the development of humanoid robotic technology.

oceaneering, archinaut, manipulator, OSS, space, 3D print

In-Space Assembly using Oceaneering’s Small Robotic Arm

Enabling new capabilities in space

Working with industry partners, we developed a robust, highly-capable, and autonomous robotics system. This system is capable of manufacturing and assembling structures in space.  Robotics in space enables several new capabilities, including the ability to perform repair and upgrade spacecraft on orbit. 

Our robotic system includes a robotic manipulator, gripper with a 6-axis force/torque sensor, and a control module. The six-degrees-of-freedom, 36-inch-reach robotic manipulator and gripper are capable of various movements and tasks.

  • Moving and rigidly supporting payload elements or hardware
  • Moving and assembling  payload elements or hardware 
  • Supporting 12 lb, fully extended, in a nominal 1G testing atmosphere
  • Precisely grabbing and positioning mating features on hardware

This fully-functional manipulator has completed thermal-vacuum testing and is ready for integration into future flight demonstrations.

ACTOR™ Robotic Crystal Placement System

Eliminating the physical handling of samples
A proven, commercial solution for automating routine crystal screening and data collection at synchrotron beam lines and home laboratories, the Automated Crystal Transport Orientation and Retrieval (ACTOR) system is compatible with almost any goniometer and detector combination.
ACTOR Robotic Crystal Placement System Data Sheet

We have worked closely with crystallographers to ensure that the ACTOR system’s crystal placement system (CPS) is compatible with typical techniques and tools. Engaged design resulted in a system that supports universities, industry, and government labs with an integrated solution that enables drug discovery, improves production-line quality, and supports exploration of new frontiers in science.

The ACTOR system’s CPS performs multiple functions.
  • Allows continuous operation of X-ray diffractometers for high-throughput screening and data collection
  • Improves safety by reducing the human activity near X-ray generators and beamlines
  • Includes magazines to protect crystals during transit and support convenient handling of large crystal batches
  • Enables faster and gentler robotic transfer of crystals to the goniometer
  • Uses common, commercially available cryo-pins
 
The ACTOR system comprises features that are compatible with many other systems and tools.
  • Reliable five-degrees-of-freedom articulated robotic arm, integrated system controllers, and automated heater preventing ice buildup on the gripper
  • Custom cryo-storage dewar with automated lid, heated frost-free interface, and auto-liquid level maintenance 
  • Capacity for five magazines holding 25 mounted crystals each
  • Motorized three-axis stage with one-micron resolution

Space photos credit: NASA

Contact Us | Robotics and Automation

Company page Since our founding in the early 1960s, Oceaneering has expanded and grown globally to service several industries such as the offshore energy industry, defense, entertainment, material handling, aerospace, science, and renewable energy industries. In 1964, Mike Hughes and Johnny Johnson formed a Gulf of Mexico diving company called World Wide Divers. The company grew in response to increasing demand for their services and in 1969 merged with two other diving companies to form Oceaneering International, Inc. To solve the toughest challenges, we do things differently, creatively, and smarter. As your trusted partner, our unmatched experience and truly innovative portfolio of technologies and solutions give us the flexibility to adapt and evolve, regardless of market conditions. Our mission is to solve the unsolvable. We thrive by creating industry-changing technically creative solutions for the most complex operational challenges under water, on land, and in space. Our five core values establish a common culture and demonstrate what is most important for us as a company. Since the beginning, the company has transformed from a small regional diving company into a global provider of engineered products and services. Today, we develop products and services for use throughout the lifecycle of an offshore oilfield, from drilling to decommissioning. We operate the world's premier fleet of work class ROVs. Additionally, we are a leader in offshore oilfield maintenance services, umbilicals, subsea hardware, and tooling. We also serve the aerospace, defense, and theme park industries. Underpinning everything we do, safety is not only the foundation of our core values, but it is vital to our unmatched performance record and company culture. The industries we serve are as diverse as they are complex. Whether we are engineering deepwater umbilicals or developing robotics for aerospace applications, the safety and health of our employees, vendors, and customers is an integral part of our day-to-day business. If we are working, then our responsibility is to be working safely. Since our inception in 1964, we have placed a high value on employee safety—from diving services and subsea inspection to vessel-based installation operations. We have and will continue to evolve not only our health, safety, and environmental (HSE) processes, but those of the industries in which we work. Although we have been fatality-free since 1999, our HSE journey goes beyond statistics. As our portfolio of services has grown, we have continued to prioritize and advance our approach to HSE.