The 'Red Sea Pioneers' team from King Abdulaziz University secured seventh place globally in the finals of the World Underwater Robotics Championship, in the PIONEER category, after scoring 374.67 points in the competitions hosted by Memorial University in Canada, with the participation of 35 universities from various countries around the world.

The team explained that the achievement came after developing an advanced remotely operated robotic submarine, designed according to an integrated engineering system that enables the execution of exploratory and engineering tasks in complex marine environments, through the integration of control and sensing systems, which enhanced its efficiency in maneuvering and operating under various operating conditions.

Wide Support and Participation

The team noted that the project took about two years to implement within the Manufacturing Club of the Deanship of Student Affairs, which provided a stimulating environment for developing students' practical skills and innovation, and contributed to turning the project into an engineering model capable of competing in one of the most prominent international tournaments specialized in marine robotics.

In the same context, the evaluation criteria in the tournament included the field performance of the submarine, engineering and practical presentations, technical documentation, marketing presentation, collaborative mission, in addition to safety and corporate responsibility criteria, simulating the requirements of professional work in the maritime and technical sectors.

Academic Partnerships and National Support

It is worth noting that the project received support from King Abdulaziz University, the Scientific Endowment, and Johnson Controls Arabia, embodying the importance of partnership between academic institutions and supporting entities in empowering national talents and enhancing their presence in international forums. This achievement reflects the quality of educational outcomes and the ability of Saudi youth to achieve scientific and engineering accomplishments on a global level.