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Rutgers Attempts Robot Atlantic Crossing

Posted by timothy on from the anything-to-get-away-from-camden dept.

RUCOOL writes "Rutgers University students and staff launched a Slocum glider AUV in an attempt to be the first such vehicle to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Progress so far is good, but it will be a long 6- to 9-month journey. Status as well as other information can be tracked here. Media links can be found in the lower left section of page, among images, and storyline blogs." And Google Earth fans can track the vehicle's progress, too.

14 of 67 comments (clear)

  1. In Other News... by BJ_Covert_Action · · Score: 4, Funny

    The U.S. Navy has developed autonomous long range torpedo technology. In a completely unrelated article, Rutgers students announce that they have lost all contact with their AUV and have offered no explanation as to why....

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    Motorcycles, Robots, Space Gossip and More!
    1. Re:In Other News... by grcumb · · Score: 4, Funny

      The U.S. Navy has developed autonomous long range torpedo technology. In a completely unrelated article, Rutgers students announce that they have lost all contact with their AUV and have offered no explanation as to why....

      "It was worth the risk," said Rutgers spokesman. "No price is too high if it finally gets us out of New Jersey."

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      Crumb's Corollary: Never bring a knife to a bun fight.
  2. Xcom by sakdoctor · · Score: 4, Funny

    When I saw the google earth map, I had this overwhelming urge to send out subs to intercept it.

    1. Re:Xcom by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

      http://rucool.marine.rutgers.edu/atlantic/about_gliders.html

  3. Arrrrrr... by liquidsunshine · · Score: 5, Funny

    I bet it gets intercepted by pirates. Watch the parts end up on eBay in 6-9 months.

  4. Better Headline by offrdbandit · · Score: 5, Funny

    In First Autonomous Act, Robot Flees New Jersey

  5. Re:Scarlet Knight by vertinox · · Score: 3, Informative

    Its the universities mascot.

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    "I am the king of the Romans, and am superior to rules of grammar!"
    -Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor (1368-1437)
  6. Slocum by inKubus · · Score: 3, Funny

    It'll be much better when they invent the "Fastcum" glider. That will probably drop the trip down to 1 month instead of 6-9.

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    Cool! Amazing Toys.
  7. Robots! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    http://www.phdcomics.com/comics/archive.php?comicid=1175

  8. Re:6-9 months? by B1oodAnge1 · · Score: 5, Informative

    We will soon be exiting the Gulf Stream which means things will start to move a lot slower and many more challenges will be thrust upon us.

    from http://rucool.marine.rutgers.edu/atlantic/

    also see here for an explanation of how it moves:
    http://rucool.marine.rutgers.edu/atlantic/about_gliders.html

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    RUGBYRUGBYRUGBY
  9. What about a payload? by Colin+Smith · · Score: 3, Informative

    Y'know, like a few kg of coke.

     

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    Deleted
  10. Re tasking by FatdogHaiku · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The small relative cost and the ability to operate multiple vehicles with minimal personnel and infrastructure will enable small fleets of gliders to study and map the dynamic (temporal and spatial) features of subsurface coastal waters around the clock and around the calendar.

    The small relative cost and the ability to operate multiple vehicles with minimal personnel and infrastructure will enable large fleets of gliders to transport many small loads of contraband through coastal waters around the clock and around the calendar.

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    1. Re:Re tasking by Phurd+Phlegm · · Score: 4, Funny

      They're not entirely subtle. If spotted (and if you're using them for contraband, they will be spotted) it wouldn't be hard at all to a) follow them back to the recipient or b) shoot them down.

      You do understand that they operate underwater, right? Mostly, stuff that's underwater is kind of hard to see and even harder to "shoot down."

  11. Who owns it? by the_other_chewey · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I remember discussions around similar projects that all have a common problem: In international waters,
    unmanned seacraft or floating objects are considered flotsam and belong to whoever gets on board or fishes
    it out of the water.

    Now what happens if somebody helpfully "recovers" this craft and claims a reward for his good deed?