Slashdot Mirror
Underwater Robot to Re-Cross Gulf Stream
karvind writes "PhysOrg is running story about a small autonomous underwater vehicle, or AUV, named Spray which was launched yesterday (March 25, 2005) about 12 miles southeast of Bermuda. The two-meter-(6-foot)-long orange glider with a four-foot wingspan will slowly make its way northwest, crossing the Gulf Stream and reaching the continental shelf on the other side before turning around and heading back to Bermuda, where it will be recovered in July. Spray made history last fall as the first AUV to cross the Gulf Stream, but this time it is making the trip from the other direction."
http://spray.ucsd.edu/pic/spray.jpg
"'Spray' uses primary-lithium-battery power and a hydraulic pump to periodically change its volume to alternately glide upwards and downwards. This results in a see-saw path at descent/ascent angles of 18-25 degrees and forward speeds of 25-35 cm/s. Heading and ascent/descent rate are controlled without control surfaces by moving weight (battery packs) inside the hull to change roll and pitch, much as a hang glider is controlled."
Excerpt from TFA, http://spray.ucsd.edu/
When you are crossing an ocean, (as opposed to a pool or a puddle), you most likely want to stay below the surface and avoid the wrath of 20 meter waves. A small motor will get you nowhere if you are going uphill on a wave of that kind. You might as well put a message in a bottle and hope it gets where you want it to.
Mankind started developing robots in 20th century.
Clockwork automatons don't count?
You can't take the sky from me...