An underwater robot has just set off on an attempt to become the first Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) to circumnavigate the globe, collecting data along the way.
The underwater glider, called Redwing, will travel through rarely visited areas of the ocean gathering data on ocean currents, sea temperature conductivity, depth and density.
It rides ocean currents using gravity and buoyancy, rather than propellers, travelling in a ‘sawtooth’ pattern through the water. First, it dives down to around 1,000 metres before gliding back up again. When it returns to the surface – every 8 to 12 hours – it uses satellites to send its data back to the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
- Scientists sink cow 1,629m into South China Sea, then gigantic animal appears out of the gloom
- Drone captures Greenland ice tearing open to reveal humungous animal beneath
Collecting data from remote areas of the ocean can be challenging and expensive. This “historic mission” could be the first step to having gliders like these working as “a global fleet of autonomous underwater gliders continuously gather[ing] data from our oceans,” says Brian Maguire, COO at Teledyne Marine, the company that is leading the project alongside Rutgers University.
“These will deliver early warnings of extreme weather and will track the impact of shifting ocean currents so that we can refine long-term climate projections.”
The team behind Redwing hope that the subsea robot will complete its journey in under five years.
Video and image credit: Sentinel Mission, Teledyne Marine
More amazing stories from around the world
- Oldest living animal ever found suggests Atlantic Ocean is close to tipping point, say scientists
- “The last thing I expected to find”: scientists stumble upon mysterious marsupials hiding in trees on Australian island
- Scientists resurrect 40,000-year-old organisms from Arctic ice – now they’re worried
- Heaviest jellyfish on Earth filmed off Washington coast
