Interesting Facts about Underwater Robotics

The engineers, scientist, and biologist at one of the universities on Scotland is making autonomous underwater vehicles that will help fix the coral reefs in Scotland.  The robots that they are making will be able to dive more than a scuba diver is able to. They will be able to go two-hundred meters. The robots that are being crated are being designed after animal species that normally travel in groups, like ants and fish.  When they use their robotic arms, video, and image processer the robot can swim and will not bump into or crash anything. It will got to the bottom of the coral reef and will help the damaged coral reef a chance to survive. Under water robotics is apart of a National Science Foundation that costs about $2.5 million. Under water robotics is apart of a National Science Foundation that costs about $2.5 million.

http://www.ypte.org.uk/news.php?id=189 

http://phys.org/news/2011-07-exploring-science-underwater-robotics.html

AUV’s have an underwater acoustic system so they can move throughout the ocean. Underwater robots us a LBL system to navigate themselves, LBL stands for long baseline acoustic positioning system. The LBL navigation is used when robots are traveling along the base of the sea floor. Today most AUVs are able to to be recharged with rechargeable batteries and they are inserted with a type of Battery Management System. Most AUVs are using primary batteries so maybe they will have twice the strength at very low depths in the ocean. Some of the bigger AUVs use aluminum based semi-fuel cells so it can be powered. These battery powered robots must have special maintenance and also must have refills that are very expensive. These refills also make waste products that can be dangerous if not handled carefully.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_underwater_vehicle