The interior of hot springs impose harsh requirements on the design of the underwater robotic system that will transport and deploy the science sensors. The vehicle has a cylindrical frame onto which sensor devices and water collection containers are attached. The vehicle is rigidly attached to a tether which supports the robot and transmits information. Attached to bottom of the robot will be different detachable modules, such as a downward-looking camera, sonar, or a manipulation arm.

A cantilever system mounted near the rim of the hot spring will deploy the robot into the hot spring. A winch will control the depth of the robot. Later designs of the vehicle may include additional attachments that stabilize the vehicle if the water turbulence moves the vehicle around too much. View a diagram of the proposed robot.