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Fly ROPOS

App guide

First, explore a model of the ROPOS. Next, recruit a partner! Pilot the ROPOS gathering deep-sea samples in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence!

Requirements

To try Fly ROPOS, you need to download the Ocean School iOS app from the Apple App Store. For help installing the app, please read How to use the Ocean School App.

Overview

Are you ready for your very own underwater adventure?

Fly ROPOS has 2 parts.

In Part 1, you explore a model of an underwater robot: the ROPOS. You can do this by yourself, or with a partner.

In Part 2, you fly the ROPOS! You need a partner.

Your team will run a photo-transect survey! You will drive the ROPOS along a line called a “transect,” taking pictures along the way. When you see a cool specimen, drop a flag! Visit each flag, and use the claw to grab specimens for your biobox! Then, count the species in your photos.

Using the app

Part 1: Explore the ROPOS in AR

Check out a 3D model of the ROPOS!

You only need one person and one device to do this part.

Open the app

Open the Ocean School app.
Choose your language.
Choose the “Fly ROPOS” experience from the main menu.

Explore the 3D model

Follow the directions in the app to place the augmented reality ROPOS on a table.

Tip: Clear some space so you can walk around the model.

Point the device at a table.
Yellow dots should appear when the app finds a flat area. If you don’t see the yellow dots, the room might be too dark.
Drag the rectangle to move the ROPOS.
Touch the lock in the upper left corner of the screen to lock the ROPOS in place.
Touch and drag the screen to rotate the model.
Touch different parts of the ROPOS to find out what they do.

Part 2: Fly the ROPOS

Fly the ROPOS!

You need two people and two devices to do this part.

With your partner, decide who will play each role.

The Captain will move the ROPOS around. They will play as the AR (augmented reality) Player.
The Operator will wear the VR (virtual reality) goggles and see what’s going on under the water. They will play as the VR Player.

You’re going to work together to explore the bottom of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

Start a session

Captain (1):

Choose “Start session”.

A screenshot of the Ocean School Fly ROPOS app. Text reads "Begin Session" "Start Session" "Join Session" "Choose an action"

Operator (2):

Choose “Join session”.

Captain (1):

A QR code will appear on your screen.

Operator (2):

A QR scanner will appear on your screen.

Scan the captain’s QR code, then wait for the experience to load.

Choose a role

Captain (1):

Choose “AR PLAYER”.

Operator (2):

Choose “VR PLAYER” (once it is available).

Place the water cube

Captain (1):

Place the water cube on the table by following the instructions in the app.

Operator (2):

Put on your VR headset and look around.

You should see the control room.

Captain (1):

Touch the Launch button at the top of the water cube. The ROPOS will drop into the water!

If you don’t see the LAUNCH button, try looking WAY UP.

Operator (2):

Wait for the Captain to launch the ROPOS.

Enjoy the view!

Run a transect

You will fly the ROPOS along two transect lines: one on the sandy bottom of the gulf, and one on the cliff face.

The ROPOS automatically takes photos while it moves along the transect lines.

Once you start moving, you need to work together! When you see an interesting specimen, drop a flag! Later, you will come back to the flags to collect samples.