Remotely Operated Vehicle
KAIKO
The world-class remotely operated vehicle KAIKO can dive down to depths of 7,000 meters. The ROV consists of two parts, Launcher and Vehicle. KAIKO’s Vehicle has been upgraded occasionally, and the current forth one was named KAIKO Mk-IV. KAIKO helps researchers carry out surveys at great depths inaccessible for the submergence research vehicle SHINKAI 6500, and also is capable to perform heavy works necessary for submarine resources studies.
KAIKO has contributed to various achievements. Notable achievements of the first KAIKO system include collecting specimens of the benthic amphipod, Hirondellea gigas, at a depth of 10,911 meters in the Mariana Trench, and discovering hydrothermal vents and communities in the Indian Ocean.
Mission
- Carry out surveys at great depths inaccessible for the submergence research vehicle SHINKAI 6500.
- Perform heavy works necessary for submarine resources studies.
Principal specifications
| Launcher |
Vehicle (KAIKO Mk-IV) |
| Length |
5.2 m |
3.0 m |
| Breadth |
2.6 m |
2.0 m |
| Height |
3.2 m |
2.6 m |
| Weight in the air |
5.8 tons |
5.5 tons |
| Maximum diving depth |
11,000 m |
7,000 m |
| Payload weight |
- |
300 kg in air, 200 kg in water |
| Tow speed |
Up to 1.5 knots |
0 to 1.0 knots |
| Research and observational equipment |
CTD, side scan sonar, and sub-bottom profiler |
Two video cameras, digital still camera, two high definition video cameras, video camera with a wide-angle fisheye lens, compact monitoring video camera, lights, CTD, and dissolved oxygen meter |
| Navigational equipment |
Obstacle detecting sonar, monochrome video camera for monitoring the Launcher/Vehicle connection, video camera for monitoring the secondary cable, altimeter using the primary wave from the sub-bottom profiler, compass, and depth meter also used for the CTD sensor |
Thrusters, obstacle detecting sonar, altimeter, inertial navigation system, Doppler Velocity Log, depth meter, monochrome rear view video camera, video camera for monitoring the Launcher/Vehicle connection, and ROV-Homer |
| Operational equipment |
- |
Two manipulators with seven degrees of freedom |
| Cables |
Optical/power composite cables (12,000 meter-long primary cable with a diameter of 45 millimeters and 250 meter-long secondary cable with a diameter of 29.5 millimeters) |
Activity records
Apr 2016
The new KAIKO system started operation as one of facilities available for research exploration carried out for projects selected from among the proposals submitted from applicants in and out of JAMSTEC.
Nov 2013
KAIKO’s new Vehicle was constructed and named “KAIKO Mk-IV”.
Apr 2006
KAIKO’s new Vehicle “KAIKO 7000II” was constructed and launched.
May 2004
Restarted research operation after the ROV “UROV 7K” was converted into KAIKO’s Vehicle “KAIKO 7000”.
May 2003
KAIKO’s Vehicle was lost due to accidental breaking of the secondary cable during research off Shikoku.
Aug 2000
Discovered hydrothermal vents and communities at a depth of 2,450 meters in Indian Central Ridge.
Nov 1999
Discovered the engine wreckage of a Japanese rocket H-2 No. 8 on the sea floor at a depth of 2,900 meters off Ogasawara Islands during the search operation in which JAMSTEC took part after the rocket launching failure.
Oct 1999
Succeeded in connecting the measuring equipment with underwater cables on the sea floor at a depth of 2,150 meters in the Ryukyu Trench area.
May 1998
Collected specimens of the benthic amphipod, Hirondellea gigas (body length: about 4.5 centimeters), at Challenger Deep of Mariana Trench for the first time in the world.
Dec 1997
Identify a shipwreck as the passenger ship TSUSHIMA MARU which was sunk with schoolchildren onboard during the World War II off Okinawa, when participating in the search operation along with JAMSTEC’s deep sea research vessel KAIREI and ROV DOLPHIN-3K.
Feb 1996
Succeeded in collecting sediment samples together with microorganisms at a depth of greater than 10,000 meters (10,898 meters) at Challenger Deep of Mariana Trench for the first time in the world.
Mar 1995
Succeeded in diving to a depth of 10,911.4 meters at Mariana Trench during a sea trial with the support of the support vessel YOKOSUKA, and taking videos of various marine organisms including polychaetes and crustaceans living at great depths.
Sediment samples collected together with microorganisms
Benthic amphipod, Hirondellea gigas
Hydrothermal communities in the Indian Ocean