ROVs are right handed

It is common to say that an ROV is right handed due to the position of the manipulators. The "seven functions" is normally installed on the starboard (right) side of the ROV, whilst the "five functions", used for grabbing or keeping position, goes on the port (left) side of the ROV.
The seven functions manipulator has seven different movements:
- Azimuth, rotary movement up to 240 degrees
- Shoulder pitch, linear movement of 120 degrees
- Elbow pitch, rotary movement 270 degrees
- Wrist pitch, rotary movement 180 degrees
- Wrist yaw, rotary movement 180 degrees
- Wrist rotation, 360 degrees continuous
- Gripper, linear movement up to 97 mm (standard)
Depending on the job, the gripper can be changed or fingers can be added
The five functions is more robust and the functions are more linear except for the wrist. Jaws can be changed also on different configurations.


This is the most common arrangement but it’s not the only one. Manipulators can be installed and functioned in the opposite way if necessary, depending on the type of job to be performed. For some jobs, it is necessary to have two seven functions, one on each side.
Here is the link to Schilling Robotics manipulators.