In a study to explore the depths of the ocean, an aquatic drone has been designed by a Californian company – Saildrone.
They have produced the Saildrone Surveyor – an autonomous floating drone that measures 22m. According to an article on New Atlas, this innovation hopes to uncover an enhanced understanding of our aquatic surroundings by mapping the seafloor of a selected ocean.
The drone’s onboard equipment such as its navigation systems are powered by solar energy, with its movement being generated by the wind. The drone can be situated out at sea for up to a year and is able to map ocean depths of up to 7,000m. In addition, it is able to collect DNA samples from the water to gain a further understanding on the organisms that habituate there.
With the first trials for the Saildrone beginning this week, a mission between San Francisco and Hawaii is set to follow. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is helping with Saildrone’s project.
“NOAA is supporting the development and testing of this new uncrewed system because we are confident it will expand the capability of our existing fleet of ships to help us accelerate in a cost-effective way our mission to map, characterise and explore our nation’s deep ocean territory, monitor valuable fisheries and other marine resources, and provide information to unleash the potential of our nation’s Blue Economy,” said Alan Leonardi, who is a director of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research.
