robots.net tells us about a new development in underwater monitoring: solar panels.
This blog previously told you about a robot submarine or Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV). I wondered at the time how they might be powered.
Well, a clever team of researchers at the Autonomous Undersea Systems Institute has added photovoltaics (PVs) and created a new acronym: SAUV, which stands for Solar-powered Autonomous Underwater Vehicle.
According to physorg.com “the SAUV weighs 370 pounds, travels at speeds of up to 2 miles per hour, and is designed to dive to depths of 500 meters.”
Yes, that is a pretty limiting speed, on the one hand; on the other, imagine, if you will, a network of SAUVs communicating with one another.
Still missing the (U)boat? O.K., imagine a tape recorder planted somewhere. Now, you have to go and get the recording… No, it comes to you. Besides, the potential military or commercial application, this may have ramifications for oceanographic research.
And, if solar-powered, robot sea turtles, why not PVs integrated into the top, outer surface of airships? Or, the backup power no longer has to stay in one place. Hey, if solar power could be used to maintain a backup power supply, could it also be used to collect air? Then these robots could maintain reserve air supplies, also.
