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This story is from the category Artificial Intelligence
Date posted: 18/03/2012 Four robots have set a new distance world record, swimming more than 3,200 nautical miles (5,926km) across the Pacific Ocean. The drones are taking part in a project to gather data about the composition and quality of sea water. Built by US-firm Liquid Robotics, the PacX Wave Gliders are expected to cover 9,000 nautical miles (16,668km) by their journey's end. The first leg of their voyage from San Francisco to Hawaii took four months. The robots are designed to reach previously inaccessible areas of the ocean and gather data on how acidic the water has become and the shrinking size of fish stocks. The previous Guinness World Record for the longest distance covered at sea by an unmanned device was 2,500 nautical miles (4,630km). Each robot is composed of two halves: the upper part, shaped like a stunted surfboard, is attached by a cable to a lower part that sports a series of fins and a keel. To move they do not use fuel but instead convert energy from the ocean's waves, turning it into forward thrust. Solar panels installed on the upper surface of the gliders power numerous sensors that take readings every 10 minutes to sample salinity, water temperature, weather, fluorescence, and dissolved oxygen. See the full Story via external site: www.bbc.co.uk Most recent stories in this category (Artificial Intelligence): 11/06/2013: When Will My Computer Understand Me? |
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