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Long-Running Underwater Robot Lost At Sea

Posted by timothy on from the all-mechanical-pincers-bury-the-dead dept.

this_boat_is_real writes "Somewhere off the coast of Chile a pioneering underwater robot named Abe lies in a watery grave today. The Autonomous Benthic Explorer was one of the first truly independent research submersibles, being both unmanned and un-tethered to its launching ship. While on its 222nd research dive on Friday all contact with the craft was lost, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution has announced."

2 of 132 comments (clear)

  1. Failsafe recovery? by JesseL · · Score: 0, Redundant

    I wonder if it had any kind of watchdog controlled system to inflate a flotation device or anything? (If it did, it apparently didn't work)

    You'd think it would be a sensible feature to have on such an expensive and unique piece of equipment.

    --
    "Prefiero morir de pie que vivir siempre arrodillado!"
    1. Re:Failsafe recovery? by clarkkent09 · · Score: 0, Redundant

      And yet..., if those engineers are so smart, how come poor ABE is rusting at the bottom of the ocean with only some ugly fishes for company. I think next time they should throw in a balloon, just in case.

      --
      Negative moral value of force outweighs the positive value of good intentions.