Underwater Robots to Monitor Climate Change

Over at TreeHugger:

Underwater robots, otherwise known as autonomous underwater vehicles, or AUVs, have been exploring the ocean floor for years, documenting species and habitats and monitoring changes to the seabed, but there are spots in the ocean that are too hazardous even for robots. Deep ravines, steeply dropping canyons and other major obstacles have so far been too much for AUVs to navigate, but thanks to a new software system, that’s all about to change.
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They expect to be running missions with the new system by next year, including monitoring the sea floor for effects of bottom trawling and climate change. They also plan on adapting the system to monitor movement and change in icebergs, where the AUV would not only take photos but samples of the iceberg for study. In general, Houts and her team hope the technology leads to even smarter vehicles for scientific research.