Scuba Dooba Tuba: Electric Beluga. No, this is not the name of a Mario Kart race course or a 70’s band. This fun name belongs to CWRUbotix, the robotics team at Case Western Reserve University. Clad with fun colors and googly eyes, this underwater drone won fifth place in the world category at the 2024 Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE ROV) competition in Kingsport, Tennessee. They designed Scuba Dooba to help ocean observation and protect ocean biodiversity.

The CWRUbotix team does not just compete in underwater competitions. Their first competition as a club was at the NASA Lunar Excavation Challenge in 2013, which they competed in until 2021. Since 2015, they have also competed in the National Robotics Challenge. 

“CWRUbotix gives students experience working on a long-term project with an interdisciplinary team”, stated club president Noah Mollerstuen. 

Through experience, the team focuses on developing leadership, teamwork and technical skills. Such goals are reflected in the club’s environment during their meetings, which Mollerstuen described as low-stress at the moment. But, when competitions get closer, things get very exciting.

Looking to the future, CWRUbotix hopes to increase their connections with mentors and organizations beyond campus.

“I’ve met some amazing people by being on the team,” said Mollerstuen. “I hope we keep up those relationships after I graduate.” 

Interested in putting your robotic skills to the test or meeting the brilliant minds behind Scuba Dooba Tuba? CWRUbotix currently meets Tuesdays at 5 p.m and Saturdays at 2 p.m on the fifth floor of Think[Box], all of which can be found on their calendar. Visit their webpage and follow them on Instagram to stay updated on all their robotic activity.