4 Wave Gliders Begin Their Autonomous Pacific Crossing Attempt 41
In 2009, an autonomous ocean glider bobbed and dipped its way across the Atlantic; now, reader cylonlover writes with word that "Four small autonomous aquatic robots have embarked on a 60,000-kilometer (37,000-mile) journey across the Pacific ocean. The Wave Gliders, built by California-based Liquid Robotics, left San Francisco last Thursday." Two of the robot craft are to head to Australia, the other two to Japan. According to the IEEE description, "Waves will power their propulsion systems and the sun will power the sensors that will be measuring things like water salinity, temperature, clarity, and oxygen content; collecting weather data, and gathering information on wave features and currents."
Impressive (Score:3, Informative)
Very impressive, considering that the diameter of the earth is only 12,750 KM.
Not the only ones doing this.. (Score:5, Informative)
Here is another maker of similar products.
http://www.webbresearch.com/ [webbresearch.com]
The company I work for, Rockland Scientific [rocklandscientific.com], designs sensors that can be attached to these subs. Some of them are rated for 6000m - kind of makes 600' look like a joke...
But another method of collecting data is to simply have floating sensors. Similar data is collected but there is no propulsion except for up and down. Every so often they surface and transmit their collected data. Then they go back down and continue drifting with the current. They are typically used in a disposable manner and only last 5 years. The advantage of these devices is that they are far less costly. It is also convenient to have them follow the ocean current. Around 1000 of these sensors are placed into the ocean each year. A french company makes them, wish I could remember the name.
one for the Guinness books (Score:3, Informative)