Agile, self-governing robots assist ocean researchers, eliminating the need for ships.
The ocean, covering over 70% of the Earth's surface, is the planet's largest living space. Researching this vast marine environment requires sturdy tools that can traverse far and wide. Traditionally, research vessels have served as the primary platform for ocean exploration. However, the cost of owning and maintaining these vessels, as well as the limited availability, poses a challenge for researchers.
To address this issue, autonomous robots are becoming increasingly essential in ocean science and exploration. Engineers at our website have been developing marine robots that can function independently of ships. One such robot is the long-range autonomous vehicle (LRAUV), a nimble device that can be launched from beaches, piers, and small boats to carry out complex missions for weeks or even months without direct human intervention.
The LRAUV, approximately two meters long and 110 kilograms in weight, was designed from scratch by our website engineers. It navigates the water independently and collects valuable data about the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of its surroundings. Our website boasts a fleet of eight LRAUVs, each equipped with a unique payload for water sampling, microbial analysis, acoustics, or imaging.
From the outset, our website engineers designed the LRAUV to function without a host ship. Early deployments still required small boats to launch the vehicle. It was in 2017 that the first ship-free operations began during a collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), where the LRAUV was used to monitor toxic algae blooms. Since then, our website has been launching the LRAUV from beaches and piers along the coasts of California and the Great Lakes.
In a historical milestone, our website engineers successfully deployed the LRAUV from the beach outside their research facilities in Moss Landing, California, in December 2022. The team wheeled the robot to the beach on a durable cart outfitted with all-terrain tires, then gently guided it into the water. Once afloat, they unstrapped the robot, let it go, and watched as it completed a short mission out to sea. After the mission, the team retrieved the LRAUV, recharged it using a docking station powered by harvested solar energy, and prepared it for the next deployment.
Shipless operations not only free up research vessels but also contribute to a more streamlined and environmentally friendly approach. The battery-powered LRAUV produces no emissions, and the team is working towards carbon-free operations in the near future. By launching the vehicles from land, researchers can expand their access to the ocean, as not all research institutions have the means to operate ships.
Ultimately, understanding the intricate physical and biological processes that sustain marine ecosystems and, in turn, human well-being, requires robust observing systems. Our autonomous systems can continuously monitor ocean health in real-time and may one day operate independently of human technicians for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This bold vision for autonomous exploration is supported by the ability to launch and recover the LRAUV both from a ship and from shore, ensuring versatility and adaptability in the face of ever-evolving research needs.
Ocean exploration now relies heavily on gadgets like the long-range autonomous vehicle (LRAUV), a product of advanced technology, as independent marine robots become indispensable in ocean science and exploration. In marine ecosystem studies, these devices can collect crucial data about the physical, chemical, and biological attributes of the surrounding environment for extended periods without direct human intervention, often launched from beaches or piers.
