Engineering at Depth: Challenges and Solutions in Underwater Robotics

Date:   18th June 2026
Time:   6 for 6:30pm
Venue: Portland Building, University of Portsmouth, Room P0.41
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Lecture Summary:

Rob Dewell, Electric Manipulator Product Manager at Saab UK, and Vignesh Rajendran, Mechanical CAD Design Engineer, will deliver a technical lecture exploring the challenges of engineering systems for deep‑sea operations. Drawing on real-world examples from Saab Seaeye’s underwater robotics portfolio, the session will highlight design, performance, and reliability considerations through use cases including the eM1‑7 electric manipulator and advanced tether management systems.

Speaker Details:

Rob Dewell is the Electric Manipulator Product Manager at Saab UK, working within the Saab Seaeye underwater robotics portfolio. With over 20 years of engineering experience, including 14 years as an ROV Pilot and Submersible Engineer at Subsea 7, Rob brings deep hands‑on expertise in subsea operations, manipulators, and complex underwater systems. His background in aeronautical engineering and frontline offshore operations uniquely informs his product management approach, ensuring electric subsea manipulators such as the Seaeye eM1‑7 are designed around real‑world performance, reliability, and user needs.

Vignesh Rajendran is a Mechanical CAD Design Engineer at Saab UK, working within the Saab Seaeye underwater robotics portfolio. Based in Fareham, he specialises in the design and development of deep‑sea ROVs and electric underwater robotic systems used by customers worldwide. Vignesh holds an MSc in Renewable Energy Engineering Management from the University of Portsmouth and brings strong expertise in CAD, FEA, and CFD to the engineering of robust subsea solutions.






 After the talk, there will be a Q&A session where attendees will be able to ask questions.

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Refreshments will be served

Arriving by Train / Ferry :
Portsmouth & Southsea station (~ 15mins walk)
Portsmouth Harbour station & Gosport Ferry/IOW Fastcat (~15mins walk)



Parking : You might find this app useful for finding car parks and on-street parking locally - Parkopedia<PO1 3AH>

Parking is available in Milldam car park as a pay & display condition after 4:30pm (until next morning). People who will drive will need to show a ticket in their car, otherwise a ticket will be issued. For any issues, please contact Dr Antigoni Barouni for assistance.

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