Underwater Robots for Everyone

Dirak writes "A small 112-pound ocean glider named Spray is the first autonomous underwater vehicle to cross the Gulf Stream underwater. Launched September 11, 2004, it has been slowly making 12 miles per day measuring various properties of the ocean. Spray spent 15 minutes three times a day on the surface to relay its position and information about ocean conditions and then glided back down to 3,300-feet depth ." And reader RoboFreak writes "Two Computer Science students at Brigham Young University-Hawaii have developed a Low Cost Autonomous Underwater Vehicle. The students also entered their robot, LUV, in the AUVSI and ONR's 7th International Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Competition at San Diego, CA and competed against top Ivy-League teams. Their robot received recognition in the form of an award at this competition. This robot was designed with a budget of only about $600 and seems to be the cheapest AUV around. One of the AUV designers' interview conducted by Amit Kr Chanda of The Times of India is available here."

Today in Slashdot

[Anonymous Coward]

A game called Evil Genius [slashdot.org], Robots with Shotguns [slashdot.org], and now Underwater Robots. Must... not... make... Austin... Powers... Joke.

Domo Arigato

[blackmonday]

There's been a lot of talk about robots around here lately, so I want to reiterate - It's all good until they become self aware!

practical underwater vehicles

[wattersa]

I for one won't be satisfied until they have sharks with frickin' lasers on their heads, at which time I'll welcome our new weaponized underwater...underlords. meh.

Robo-take over *Beep*

[slumpy]

There seems to be an awful lot of articles on robots lately. I'm beginning to worry the slashdot offices were taken over by shotgun wielding robots who have just gained underwater capabilities. Due to the robots iron grasp, this is the only way the editors can commmunicate to us their need for help against them.

But do they have underwater shotguns?

[alakon]

But do they have underwater shotguns?

brigham young robot goes underwater

[Anonymous Coward]

Yes, but does it convert gentiles?

Done first my a MA Senator!

[dbretton]

Ted Kennedy did this first quite some time ago [saturatedpratt.com], but I believe his vehicle was still manned.

Re:Smugglers would love this...

[Saeger]

I am intrigued by your ideas and wish to subscribe to your newsletter (for $15,000,000 in cash). Please contact [e-mail] with more information about your "newsletter".

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Actually

[RealProgrammer]

[sound of light bulb lighting]

Ah, I see. You could have a harbor full of underwater drones, like antibodies. They cruise around looking for stuff and send up warning signals.

You wouldn't want them to do anything on their own, to minimize the damage of a false positive. Blowing up a boat full of Cuban refugees might not be politically viable.