Four autonomous robotvaartuigen of Liquid Robots have embarked on a crossing of the pacific Ocean. The Wave Gliders make use of golfkracht for propulsion and solar panels for generating electricity.
Wave Gliders are already since 2008, actively used for maritime tasks, but it is the first time that they have tried is the Big Ocean to cross. The whole trip would be 60,000 kilometers apart. The four Wave Gliders are at the end of last week departed from San Francisco and will, after a joint trip to Hawaii split, in which two of the robotvaartuigen Japan as the goal, while the other two in the direction of Australia sail.
The Wave Glider of Liquid Robots consists of two parts. The part that is above water, has solar panels on the top, which allows a large amount of electronic equipment is supplied with energy. So is using sensors to monitor the salinity of the water maintained, as well as temperature, clarity and oxygen content. Information is also collected about waves and currents.
The second part, a platform flanked by six rotating flippers, hanging from a cable is approximately 6.7 m under the section on the waves floating. By the movement of the waves, draws the ‘surfboard’ the bottom portion to the top. Because of the fins, with a spring on the platform are confirmed, partly rotate during the up and down motion, creates a forward force. The ‘float’area under water, in turn, the portion above water.
The measurement data of the recordtocht be via the Iridium satellite network are forwarded and will be in stripped down form on Google Earths Ocean Showcase. For research purposes, the complete data set is available.
