A $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation will help researchers at UC San Diego accomplish their goal to develop small robotic devices that are capable of flowing with the ocean currents to study the mechanisms that support plankton and other petite marine creatures. Initially, half a dozen of underwater robots with nearly the size of a soccer ball and 20 smaller versions will be developed, along with systems required to control the robots from a remote location.
These swarms of the autonomous underwater explorers are expected to provide a better view of the underlying factors that drive broader ocean processes. This insight could be a result of a more accurate focus on localized data on currents, temperature, salinity, pressure, and other properties. In coming times, we can expect the robots to tour and monitor marine areas that are protected to give early warnings of potential hazards such as algae blooms and oil spills.
In addition, they could also investigate plane crashes and ocean-going emergencies. In case the robot swarms are powered with green energy, it will save the environment from the harms caused by other fossil fuel-powered equipments used for oceanic research.
Via: CleanTechnica
