The Georgia Tech-Savannah Robotics Team andECE Assistant Professor Fumin Zhang won the Martin Klein MATE Mariner Award on June 19 at the 10th MATE International ROV Competition. Dr. Zhang and the team won the award for their performance of their robot, Beta.

Established by Marty Klein, the side scan sonar inventor, this award recognizes a team or individual's appreciation for the practical applications of their knowledge and skills as well as their passion for the field of marine science and technology.

The theme of this year's competition was the use of remotely operated vehicles in the offshore oil and gas industry, with a particular focus on the challenges that were faced during the Gulf of Mexico deepwater oil spill. The event was held at the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Tex.