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Robotic Gliders Soar Underwater

Posted by michael on from the soon-to-be-militarized dept.

zymano writes "Yahoo has this tech news on ocean gliders that can go on journeys for hundreds of miles and last for weeks using pumps that push ballast water in and out to subtly change their buoyancy. This enables them to alternately rise and fall through the ocean as they glide forward. Oh , $60,000 if you want one." See our previous stories for more information.

8 of 208 comments (clear)

  1. Finally by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Maybe now we'll be able to explore the final frontier of our own planet.

  2. Cool Idea by randall_burns · · Score: 2, Insightful
    I can imagine this basic idea might also get adapted in various ways for non-time critical transport. The hard part here seems like the embedded software/hardware--the other technology is based on stuff that has been around a while.


    I have a feeling this is one that really will take off in time.

  3. Re:Imagine the possibilities by fnj · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I'd bet the US military would love these things. You could easily weaponize these things! From mine sweeping to hunting down enemy subs these things would rock.

    I think you have to make a distinction between making into a weapon (true weaponizing), and making a detection/surveillance/tracking system.

  4. Finally, a cruise missile for the masses by Animats · · Score: 4, Insightful
    At last, the intercontinental torpedo. This is going to go over big with terrorists. Or small countries that need some effective deterrent against US attack.

    The next step in weaponization is a torpedo powerplant and seeker. This would be used only in the last stage, when wave motion has brought the thing to a harbor mouth, allowing a final attack run with power. The thing can be launched hundreds of miles offshore. Maybe thousands.

    It's back to submarine nets, like WWII. SOSUS isn't going to pick this up; it's just drifting sea junk most of the time.

  5. Re:I wonder by Thud457 · · Score: 2, Insightful
    The less real power you have, the greater the importance of saving face. (That's why dissing someone in the ghetto will get your ass shot. Or stabbebeded.)

    They couldn't rescue those men, so obviously, it couldn't be done. Can't be shown up by those Americans, you know.

    --

    the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

  6. Aerodynamic water principles, eh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    "The aerodynamic principles that guide ocean gliders are the same that apply to airborne gliders, except the underwater versions can climb every bit as effortlessly as they dive."

    Ah, very interesting indeed. The air and gaseous principles that guide ocean gliders in the water. Are they creating an air bubble around the thing so it can use its aerodynamic principles to fly under water?

    That seems like a waste of energy. Why not just make it move directly through the water?

    Or maybe someone needs to go back to grade school and learn what a dictionary is.

  7. Re:not so fast.... by rocketsled · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Since the Navy has been backing it I'd say that this is autonomous sensor or worse autonomous weapon. So swimmin' with the fishies is not at the top of their priorities.

  8. Re:Imagine the possibilities by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    The obvious use will be delivering a nuclear (or large conventional) payload in the middle of an enemy port undetected.

    You want to deliver an object to a port undetected? Ship it. The vast majority of cargo containers are not inspected in the slightest. Way to go, Homeland Security.