>>4 Two things, actually.
- The first is the context behind the construction. One of WashU's Societies is doing it for a robotics competition. The very nature of this competition (and others like it) is to give these students an opportunity to obtain hands-on experience and strut their stuff in front of prospective employers. At the same time, it also opens the doors for those agencies to get new, fresh perspectives on existing technologies, which can then be adopted with higher investment values later on. Finally, it garners recognition for the university. Everyone wins.
- Second, even if these guys don't get first place in the ROV Comp, they still plan to use the completed rover to perform operations in the Puget Sound, which is one of Washington's largest water regions. So beyond reputation, the university itself will have another tool they can use in and out of the classroom, and that is important.