Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic director focused on measurable results and operational excellence in maritime education. Integrates IMO/STCW regulations and ISO 21001/9001 f
Course · 300 h · 5 modules
Underwater Robot Programming Course
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of underwater robotics. Learn to design, build, and program ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) robots for underwater exploration, inspection, and maintenance. Master control, navigation, and…
Duration300 h
FormatOnline
Starts30 November
Places20 / 20
Prior knowledge
Prior Knowledge Assessment
These are the skills this programme builds. Tick the ones you already have and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is really for you.
Your profile
Tick what you already know to see your result.
Programme overview
What is the Underwater Robot Programming Course?
The Underwater Robot Programming Course
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of underwater robotics. Learn to design, build, and program ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) robots for underwater exploration, inspection, and maintenance. Master control, navigation, and manipulation in challenging environments, from basic programming to implementing autonomous systems. Acquire practical skills and become an expert at the forefront of underwater technology.
Differential Advantages
- Practical Projects: Construction and programming of functional ROVs.
- Advanced Simulation: Experimentation in realistic virtual environments.
- Control and Navigation: Precise and efficient underwater handling.
- Sensors and Actuators: Integration of technologies for complex tasks.
- Real-World Applications: Underwater exploration, inspection, and maintenance.
Programme type
Course
Study mode
Online
Duration
300 hours
Modules
5
Start date
10-12-2026
Programme highlights
- Fundamentals of Underwater Robotics: Learn the key principles of robot design, mechanics, and electronics for marine environments.
- Advanced Programming: Master the control of underwater robots using languages such as Python and ROS, adapted for navigation and manipulation at depth.
- Sensors and Perception: Integrate and calibrate pressure, vision, and sonar sensors for underwater environmental perception and autonomous decision-making.
- Simulation and Testing: Develop skills in underwater robot simulation to test algorithms and optimize performance before actual deployment.
- Practical Applications: Explore case studies in infrastructure inspection, oceanographic research, and underwater rescue.
- Acquire the skills necessary to design, build, and program autonomous underwater robots for a wide range of applications marine.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 5 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Embedded software fundamentals for underwater robotics and real-time control architectures
- Architecture of a Submarine Robot: Software Layers, Firmware, Drivers and Mission Logic
- Shipment models: SBC, microcontrollers, co-processors and task sharing
- Operating Systems and Real Time: Latencies, Jitter, Priorities, Watchdogs and Degraded Modes
- Internal communications management: buses (UART/I2C/SPI/CAN) and synchronisation between modules
- Data structures and defensive design: states, events, queues, buffers and fault tolerance
02
Sensors, data fusion and status estimation for underwater navigation
- Integration of navigation sensors: IMU, compass, pressure, altimeter and environmental compensations
- Modelling and calibration: Offsets, drift, alignments, delays and field validation
- Sensory Fusion: Complementary Filters, EKF/UKF Conceptual and Estimation Consistency
- DVL, odometry and speed estimation: background conditions, return quality and typical failures
- Anomaly detection: Outliers, signal degradation, reconfiguration and sensor failure
03
Control of movement, stability and automatic piloting for ROV/AUV
- Underwater dynamic models: push, drag, buoyancy, moments and couplings
- Thruster Matrix, Thruster Matrix, Saturation, Compensation and Control in 6 DOF
- Advanced PID Controllers: Anti-Windup, Feedforward, Tuning and Depth/Rumble Control
- Operating modes: Manual assisted, stationary, tracking tracking and control by references
- Robust control over disturbances: currents, payload changes and density variations
04
Mission planning, autonomy and intelligent behaviour in underwater environments
- Mission representation: waypoints, geofences, restrictions, times and windows operating
- State machines and Behaviour Trees: design, safe transitions and failure recovery
- Navigation in complex environments: avoidance of obstacles, margin of safety and proximity to structure
- Mission Energy Management: Budgets, Priorities, Controlled Degradation and Safe Return
- Operational Resilience: Retries, Abort Criteria, Home/Loiter and Emergency Protocols
05
Final integration, testing, debugging and underwater robot programming applied project
- Hardware-software integration: drivers, timings, interference, consumption and stability of the system
- Testing Strategies: Unitary, Integration, HIL/SIL, Test Benches and Acceptance in Water
- Debugging and diagnosis: traces, profiles, structured logs, root cause analysis and corrections
- Configuration management: parametres, calibrations, mission profiles and version control
- Functional security: Watchdogs, failsafes, limits, interlocks and safe stop modes
Workload
Study Time and Workload
300 hours of study, online and at your own pace. Move the slider to the hours a week you can really put in.
Hours a week8
Weeks to finish—
You finish around—
Who it is for
Engineering, robotics, or marine science students who want to specialize in the design and control of underwater robots.Engineers and technicians looking to develop or improve their skills in programming and operating ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles).Researchers and scientists who need advanced robotic tools for exploring and studying the underwater environment.Offshore industry professiona
Faculty
Academic direction and faculty
The teaching team at Navalis: working professionals who deliver and oversee the institute's programmes.
Eng. Diego Cifuentes
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Eng. Tomás Riera
Verified reviews
Student Reviews
Reviews collected and verified by Opynio, not written by us.
Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- 01Develop robust control algorithms for autonomous navigation
- 02Implement efficient perception systems for the detection and classification of underwater objects
- 03Design intuitive human-machine interfaces for remote control and monitoring of robots.
- 04Integrate and test efficient energy systems to extend the robot's autonomy
- 05Create precise robotic manipulation strategies for interaction with the underwater environment
- 06Adapting the robot to hostile environments
Careers
Career Opportunities
01ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) Operator: Inspection, maintenance, and repair of underwater infrastructure (oil platforms, offshore wind farms, pipelines).
02ROV Maintenance Technician: Repair and preventive maintenance of ROV systems, including electronics, hydraulics, and mechanics.
03ROV Control Systems Programmer: Development and optimization of software for ROV control, including autonomous navigation and machine vision systems.
04ROV Design Engineer: Design and development of new ROVs and components, considering factors such as performance, reliability, and cost.
05Underwater Robotics Researcher: Development of new technologies and applications for ROVs in scientific research, ocean exploration, and underwater archaeology.
06Underwater Inspector: Utilization Operation of ROVs to inspect underwater structures, collecting visual and sensor data to assess their condition and detect potential problems.
07Marine Renewable Energy Technician: Installation, maintenance, and repair of marine renewable energy infrastructure using ROVs.
08Underwater Salvage and Rescue Specialist: Use of ROVs in underwater search and rescue operations, as well as in the recovery of objects and vessels.
09```
Questions
Entry Requirements
Aquatic environments, including oceans, seas, lakes, and rivers.
Yes. The itinerary includes ECDIS/Radar-ARPA/BRM with harbor, ocean, fog, storm, and SAR scenarios.
Online with live sessions; hybrid option for simulator/practical placements through agreements.
C++, Python, Java and MATLAB.
Recommended functional SMCP. We offer support materials for standard phraseology.
Yes, with a relevant degree or experience in maritime/port operations. The admissions interview will confirm suitability.
Optional (3–6 months) through Companies & Collaborations and the Alumni Network.
Simulator practice (rubrics), defeat plans, SOPs, checklists, micro-tests and applied TFM.
A degree from Navalis Magna Institute + operational portfolio (tracks, SOPs, reports and KPIs) useful for audits and employment.
Online admissions
Admissions Process
No waiting for a phone call. If your documents are complete, you can pay in the same session.
Entry requirements
Academic/Professional Profile:Bachelor's/Undergraduate degree in Engineering (Electronics, Mechatronics, Computer Science, Robotics), Marine Science, Oceanography, or a related field; or demonstrable professional experience in robotics, submersible systems, or related areas.Technical Skills:Programming (Python, C++), embedded systems, basic electronics, mechanics, sensors, control systems. Knowledge of robotics and underwater systems is valued.Additional Skills:Problem-solving skills, logical thinking, teamwork, adaptability to challenging environments.Documentation:
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Leave your details and admissions will write back. If you already know this is the one, go straight to the application and pay in the same session.