New Atlas

Robotics Audio available

Autonomous sub seeks plankton patches to save birds

Ben Coxworth March 7, 2019

Phytoplankton aren't just evenly distributed throughout the ocean. Instead, they occur in three-dimensional concentrated patches. A new autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) is able to find and map those patches, potentially helping to preserve wildlife such as seabirds.

The Harald AUV detects fluorescence that signifies the presence of phytoplankton

Marine Audio available

Boeing wins US$43 million contract to build four Orca robotic super subs

David Szondy February 17, 2019

The US Navy has awarded Boeing a US$43 million contract to build four of its Orca Extra Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicles. The 51-ft long unmanned submarines will operate autonomously in blue water with a range of 6,500 nm.

The Orca is based on Boeing's Echo Voyager robotic sub

Military

Indian Navy completes sea trials of new deep-sea rescue sub

David Szondy October 23, 2018

The Indian Navy has joined an exclusive maritime club after completing sea trials on the first of two 3rd Generation Submarine Rescue Systems being delivered by British-based JFD. The vessel set new dive records in the Indian Ocean during the trials.

The DSRV recently completed trials in the Indian Ocean

Military

Saab's new Lightweight Torpedo designed for deep and shallow waters

David Szondy October 18, 2018

At next week's Euronaval exhibition in Paris, Saab will be unveiling the latest version of its Lightweight Torpedo (SLWT). Already ordered by Sweden and Finland, the compact submarine hunter/killer weapon is designed to be launched from a variety of sea and air platforms.

Saab's LWT is tailored to both blue water conditions and the complex environment of the shallow ...

Marine Audio available

$48-million Triton 36000/2 submersible takes you to the bottom of the deepest oceans

David Szondy October 16, 2018

If you like the water, don't mind cramped spaces, and have a spare US$48 million lying around, then Triton Submarines has a submersible called the Triton 36000/2 that can take you and a passenger to the bottom of the deepest ocean.

The Triton 36000/2 is built to make repeated dives to the deepest ocean sites on Earth

Robotics

Soft robotic arm opens the door to doing science under the sea

James Holloway October 5, 2018

Wyss Institute's forays into soft robots have borne more ripe fruit in the shape of a soft robotic arm fit for use on submarines to handle delicate marine life like coral and jellyfish. This isn't the Harvard institute's first, but its latest iteration moves with "unprecedented dexterity."

The latest soft-robotic arm can move with "unprecedented dexterity"

Marine

Aston Martin's sleek, ultra-premium submarine steps closer to submergence

C.C. Weiss May 2, 2018

Along with building sports cars, Aston Martin has been busying itself designing a cutting-edge submarine. Now that the design phase has given way to the production phase, Aston Martin and Triton Submarines have a few details to share.

After announcing the joint project last September, Aston Martin and Triton have completed the Project Neptune ...

Marine

Shape-shifting Aquanaut combines two types of underwater robot

Ben Coxworth May 1, 2018

When it comes to underwater robots, there are two kinds – Autonomous Underwater Vehicles that gather data while cruising along by themselves, and Remotely Operated Vehicles that perform tasks while being controlled in real time. Houston Mechatronics is combining them, in the form of the Aquanaut.

A rendering of the Aquanaut in Work Class Mode

Marine

Next-gen autonomous subs set to study microbes

Ben Coxworth March 8, 2018

At least half of the oxygen in our atmosphere is created by ocean microbes, which also form the basis of marine food webs that support global fisheries. Scientists are now attempting to better understand the microorganisms, utilizing a new type of autonomous underwater vehicle.

One of the long-range AUVs cruises beneath the surface during field trials in Hawaii

Drones

EagleRay amphibious fixed-wing drone is at home in sea or sky

Michael Irving February 14, 2018

We’re increasingly seeing drones that cross over between sea and sky. Now engineers from North Carolina State University have developed the EagleRay XAV, an amphibious fixed-wing drone that can fly above or dive below the waves as needed.

The EagleRay XAV is an amphibious fixed-wing drone that can fly or swim as needed