Ocean exploration is about to take a revolutionary step with the recent success of a team of marine robots in conducting complex maritime exploration tasks.
The two-year research study was led by ecoSUB AUVs and Planet Ocean and funded by Innovate UK.
The study aimed to demonstrate the practicality of large-scale surveys and exploration being conducted by teams of autonomous underwater vehicles. This would serve as a giant leap forward since, by merging multiple units into a team, the shortcomings of individual AUVs could be overcome.
Recent open-water testing showed that this is possible thanks to an intelligent autonomy engine that can coordinate the work of the different AUVs.
The project developed a wide range of units capable of conducting multiple tests both at the surface and below.
(Featured image credit: Planet Ocean)
