Community News for May, 2008

Scientists See Potential in Deep-sea Labs

May 26, 2008

The best way to study anything is in its natural environment. But when that environment consists of crushing pressure, a complete lack of sunlight and is in the middle of a gushing hydrothermal seafloor vent, things can get a little tricky.

Vessels Offer Glimpse of What Lies Beneath

May 23, 2008

NEWPORT — You won’t find any historic or dignified names on these vessels, no USS John F. Kennedy or USS Saratoga. Instead, the collection of sleek unmanned undersea craft on display yesterday in a warehouse-style building at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center bore the type of numbing technological acronyms — BPAUV, REMUS, MARV and HAUV — you’d expect from the military and the scientists gathered here to show
them off.

While their names may be inscrutable, their purpose is clear: To protect Navy vessels from hidden mines, the weapon that has wreaked more damage and sunk more ships than all others combined. What isn’t so obvious, however, is the devices’ practical applications, particularly their ability to reveal what’s on, and beneath the sea floor.

War Robots Put to Peaceful Uses at AUVfest 2008

May 22, 2008

Every year, the US Navy's Office of Naval Research (ONR) sponsors an
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) festival. The theme of this year's
festival, which ran from May 12-23, was "Partnership Runs Deep: ONR
Unmanned Mine Hunting Technologies help NOAA Explore Sunken History."

Pinta the Robot Sailing Boat Takes on Atlantic Challenge

May 21, 2008

Several robotic sailboats are undergoing final preparations before setting sail in an effort to become the first robot to cross an ocean using only wind power. Eight robotic sailboats will participate in a race that is intended to test the endurance and reliability of robots.

General Dynamics Delivers First USV to US Navy for Littoral Combat Ship

May 20, 2008

General Dynamics Robotic Systems delivered the first 11-meter "Fleet" class Anti-Submarine Warfare Unmanned Surface Vehicle (ASW USV) to the U.S. Navy on May 2 as part of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) mission package.

National Science Foundation Funded Science and Technology Center to Use REMUS for Studies on Coastal Margin Observation and Predication

May 9, 2008

Hydroid, LLC, a leading manufacturer of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), announced today that the National Science Foundation funded Science and Technology Center for Coastal Margin Observation and Predication (CMOP) has purchased two REMUS 100s for its studies. The CMOP vision focuses on four goals: enable nearly ubiquitous, river-to-ocean observation of physical and ecological processes; advance understanding of these processes in order to manage, operate, and sustain coastal resources and ecosystems effectively; foster technological innovation; and train a diverse, scientifically literate and technologically savvy workforce.