Develop a fleet of robots to study microorganisms in the ocean

After years of development and testing, a team of researchers from the University of Hawaii and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Research Institute have developed a fleet of autonomous robots to study microorganisms on the high seas and on the high seas.

The Science Robotics website, specializing in robotics research, specifies that these robots allow researchers in the field of marine sciences to study the complex systems of marine microorganisms, especially in the light of the Corona pandemic, which does not allow researchers to undertake research and exploration trips.

And marine microorganisms play an important role in the global climate system, because they emit about half of the oxygen in the world, and remove carbon dioxide, and they are the staple food for marine life. on planet Earth.
“We faced challenges in allowing the fleet of robots to communicate with us and with each other, given that at a depth of over 100 meters (328 feet), the robots cannot be tracked remotely at using satellites, ”said Brett Hobson, a mechanical engineer who is one of the study participants.

The study team succeeded in programming the first prototype of marine robots so that it could track microorganisms, locate them and store seawater samples, so that researchers can submit them for study. . These robots are also equipped with sensors that measure temperatures, salinity, oxygen levels and microorganisms at depth.

“This project is the culmination of a ten-year vision, as the launch of a fleet of autonomous robots to sample marine systems is a game-changer in ocean science,” said Chris Shulin, team leader study.