Detailed Description of the Type of ROV Robot Battery

time:2025-11-25

Remote control underwater unit load device (Remotely Operated Vehicle, referred to as ROV) is an important tool for Marine Exploration, submarine operation and underwater scientific research, its performance and endurance largely depend on the choice of battery system. The battery not only provides power and control signal power for ROV, but also meets the requirements of waterproof, safety, capacity and service life. This article will introduce several battery types commonly used by ROV robots in detail, analyze their characteristics, advantages and disadvantages and applicable scenarios, and help relevant technicians and users better understand and choose appropriate battery solutions.

I. Important performance indicators of ROV robot battery

before introducing specific battery types, first of all, make clear several key performance indicators that the ROV battery system needs to meet:

  • capacity and energy density
    ROVs usually require long-time continuous working capacity, so batteries need to have high capacity and high energy density to ensure long battery life.

  • Security
    the underwater environment is complex, and the battery must have good safety performance to prevent risks such as short circuit, overheating and leakage.

  • Waterproof and sealing performance
    the battery pack must be designed as a waterproof structure to resist water pressure and seawater corrosion.

    Weight and volume
    ROV is sensitive to the weight and volume of the battery, and too much weight will affect mobility and operation efficiency.

  • Charge and discharge performance
    it is necessary to meet the requirements of high rate discharge and support the rapid response and high load operation of ROV in complex environments.

II. Battery types commonly used by ROV robots

1. Lead-Acid Battery (Lead-Acid Battery)

features

lead-acid battery is a traditional energy storage battery, which is widely used in early ROV and some low-cost underwater equipment due to its low cost and mature technology. Its operating voltage is stable and can provide a larger starting current.

Advantages

  • low prices and low procurement and maintenance costs.
  • Simple structure, mature technology, easyIn maintenance.
  • Good adaptability to ambient temperature.

Disadvantages

  • low energy density and large volume and weight are not conducive to mobility.
  • The cycle life is limited, and the performance decreases significantly after frequent charging and discharging.
  • Not suitable for deep discharge, deep discharge will seriously shorten the service life.
  • Regular maintenance and anti-corrosion treatment are required.

Applicable scenarios

suitable for offshore shallow water ROVs or training ROVs with limited budget and low endurance requirements.

2. Ni-MH battery (NiMH)

features

NI-MH battery is an upgraded version of Ni-Cd battery, which has high energy density and environmental protection performance, and does not contain toxic cadmium elements.

advantages
  • the energy density is higher than that of lead-acid batteries, and the weight is relatively light.
  • Long cycle life and good durability.
  • It has certain discharge depth capability and high safety performance.
  • Environmental protection, no heavy metal pollution.

Disadvantages

  • the self-discharge rate is relatively high, and regular charging is required for long-term storage.
  • High requirements on charging management.
  • The price is higher than that of lead-acid batteries.

Applicable scenarios

it is suitable for small and medium-sized ROVs with certain requirements on performance and environmental protection, especially for applications with certain requirements on battery life.

3. Lithium ion battery (Li-ion)

features

lithium ion battery has become the mainstream choice of ROV battery system due to its high energy density, light weight and excellent charge and discharge performance. Its voltage platform is stable and can meet the demand of high power output.

Advantages

  • high energy density, small size and light weight greatly improve the endurance and mobility of ROV.
  • Long cycle life and high charge and discharge efficiency.
  • Low self-discharge rate, suitable for long-term storage and use.
  • No memory effect, flexible charging.

Disadvantages

  • the cost is relatively high, and the manufacturing and maintenance costs are relatively large.
  • The charging and use management requirements are strict, and a battery management system (BMS) is required to prevent overcharging, overdischarging and temperature abnormalities.
  • Sensitive to ambient temperature, thermal management is required.

Applicable scenarios

<p style="line-height: 1.5; text-indent: 2em;"> it is suitable for ROVs of all sizes, especially industrial and scientific ROVs that require long endurance and high performance output.

4. Lithium polymer battery (Li-Po)

features

lithium polymer battery is a deformation of lithium ion battery. It adopts solid or colloidal electrolyte to make the battery lighter and more flexible in shape.

Advantages

  • the shape design is flexible, and the size and shape can be customized according to the internal space of the ROV.
  • High energy density and light weight.
  • Fast charging speed and stable performance.

Disadvantages

  • the cost is relatively high and the manufacturing process is complicated.
  • The safety is less than that of lithium ion batteries, and strict protection measures are required.

Applicable scenarios

suitable for light ROVs with strict space and weight restrictions or specially designed underwater unit load device.

5. Lithium Titanate battery (Li-Ti)

features

lithium Titanate battery uses lithium titanate as negative electrode material, with extremely fast charging capability and extremely long cycle life.

Advantages

  • ultra-high safety, high temperature resistance and strong overcharging ability.
  • The cycle life is extremely long, which is suitable for frequent charging and discharging environment.
  • The charging speed is fast and can be filled in a few minutes.
  • Wide operating temperature range.

  • the energy density is lower than that of lithium ion batteries, and the volume and weight are larger.
  • The cost is relatively high and the manufacturing process is complicated.

Applicable scenarios

it is suitable for ROV systems with extremely high requirements for safety and high-frequency charging and discharging, especially for high-end applications in industrial and scientific research fields.

III, battery comprehensive Considerations for selection

in addition to understanding the basic characteristics of battery types, we also need to make comprehensive trade-offs based on specific application requirements when selecting ROV batteries:

  • battery life requirements
    high-capacity batteries are required for long-term operation, and lithium ion and lithium polymer batteries are more suitable.

  • Environment complexity
    the sealing and safety of batteries in deep sea and high pressure environment are particularly important, and the battery type with higher safety performance needs to be selected.

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    Cost budget
    if the budget is limited, lead-acid batteries or Ni-MH batteries can be considered, but performance losses need to be weighed.

  • Size and weight limits
    it has a significant impact on the mobility of ROV and must give priority to lightweight and high energy density batteries.

  • Charging and maintenance convenience
    industrial-grade ROVs are often equipped with perfect battery management systems to ensure safe and stable operation of lithium batteries.

The choice of ROV robot battery directly affects its performance and operation efficiency. Lead-acid battery and Ni-MH battery have low cost, but their energy density and life span are limited; Lithium ion and lithium polymer battery have become the mainstream choice with their advantages of high energy density and light weight; lithium Titanate batteries are outstanding in terms of safety and service life, and are suitable for high-end applications.