More robot ocean-gliders taking to the seas

Devin Coldewey

Devin Coldewey is a Seattle-based writer and photographer. He has written for the TechCrunch network since 2007. Some posts he’d like you to read: The Dangers of Externalizing Knowledge | Generation i | Surveillant Society | Choose Two | Frame Wars | The User’s Manifesto | Our Great Sin His personal website is coldewey.cc. → Learn More

Monday, December 1st, 2008


We mentioned these ocean-heat-powered water gliders quite some time ago, and it seems they’ve become more popular in the mean time. These unmanned aquatic vehicles have proven to be a very efficient way of mapping and monitoring the oceans, and new types are being created by oceanographers to investigate this or that quantity or location.

I saw one in motion on the BBC series Oceans, and it looked very natural in the water; I can see why researchers like them. And somehow I doubt many get attacked by sharks — although giant squid might take one down just for kicks, the slimy bastards.

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