For the past few years, there’s been quite a buzz about autonomous cars and robotaxis starting, with companies offering rides in these types of transport to customers routinely. But another important area of autonomous vehicles has received much less publicity. Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), also known as underwaters drones, have rather quietly made a huge impact on oceanic research and data in recent years, with one of the most notable endeavors involves underwater sea-mapping. These efforts are in pursuit of bold objectives to realize a complete mapping of the world’s oceans by 2030. But drones for sea exploration extends well beyond mapping of underwater geography. They are also being used to discover lost ships and perhaps even treasures.
(Dive into the autonomous car and taxi race with this Bold story.)
It’s not likely surprising that many ships have come to rest at the depths of the sea during their final voyage. Whether these wreckages have resulted from wars or at the hands of Mother Nature, many have been lost. However, as part of underwater drone sea-mapping expeditions, some have been rediscovered. This is opening up a completely new and intriguing area of research that has tremendous potential. Not only can drones for sea exploration tell us a great deal about topography and historical events. But they can also unlock secrets of our own human past as it relates to nautical events over time. Understanding that we currently know more about Mar’s surface than our ocean floors, AUVs represent an exciting new chapter.
Modern AUV Technologies
The technological advances associated with drones for sea exploration has been remarkable as of late. Between 2010 and 2020, AUVs were equipped with much powerful technologies. In terms of their sonar capacities, drones enjoyed a five-fold improvement, and in regard to the level of image details provided, these enhanced ten-fold. At the same time, the depth levels and speed with which these AUVs could operate were markedly improved. Top-of-the-line drones for sea exploration can now go as deep as 20,000 feet. They can also stay submerged for up to 72 hours while traveling up to six knots. All of these advances have accelerated underwater drone sea-mapping as well as underwater discoveries.
One of the leasing companies producing drones for sea exploration is Kongsberg Marine AS out of Norway. The company produces the Hugin, a particularly exceptional AUV that costs anywhere from $5 to $10 million each. Ocean Infinity, which is involved in underwater drone sea-mapping, has the largest fleet of Hugin AUVs currently. These AUVs use hybrid/zero emission propulsion systems making them energy sustainable. Ocean Infinity has also been prolific in its pursuits of underwater drone sea-mapping. In 2020, the company performed over 43 miles of mapping in five months. At that point in time, roughly 15% of the world’s total oceans had been mapped. This suggests the lofty goal of complete oceanic mapping by 2030 may be well within reach. And Ocean Infinity will undoubtedly play a significant role in its completion.
More than Sea Mapping
Given that these new AUVs have such a tremendous capacity for sea exploration, it’s understandable that they are being used for other purposes. Recently, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Association (NOAA) partnered with Ocean Infinity to seek out a lost vessel. The USS Stewart, a navy destroyer from World War II was known to be off the coast of Java. After the destroyer initially sunk, it was taken by Japanese forces and revitalized during the war. Ultimately, the Allies regained control of the vessel and sank it again as part of a military target practice. But after it sank again after the exercise, its location was lost. The NOAA wished to find it once again for research purposes.
Armed with some information from past military and tugboat logs, the general location of the USS Stewart was estimated. Ocean Infinity then launched three drones for sea exploration to both map the region and seek out the destroyer. Within a few short hours, the AUVs found the wreckage and was able to collect tremendous amounts of data. In fact, the three drones covered a total of 50 square miles within a 24-hour period. This isn’t the only naval ship that underwater drone sea-mapping activities have discovered. In 2020, the USS Nevada was found as was the sea-exploration vessel, the Endeavor, in 2022. The Endeavor was lost to sea in 1915 as part of Ernest Shackleton’s expeditions. It’s thus becoming clear that drones for sea exploration have significant potential in an array of areas.
Secondary Pursuits with AUV Mapping
According to recent estimates, the industry supporting drones for sea exploration is valued at $4.17 billion. Over the next five years, this sector is expected to grow by roughly 16% annually. Much of this growth will come as a result of oceanic mapping activities and related research. But at the same time, there are a number of other areas that will benefit from AUV discoveries. For example, the information gathered can help guide wind farm and oil rig development. This data will also help with construction of underwater pipelines and cables. Understanding this, it’s evident that underwater drone sea-mapping will support advances in many different areas. And certainly, recovering lost vessels and lost historical items will be a part of this.
Naturally, oceanic research related to aquatic life could also benefit from discoveries elucidated from drones for sea exploration. This includes identifying species never before identified from the depths of the ocean’s floor. It also could identify new health treatments for human disease. It also can include military activities involving strategic reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, and naval movement tracking. While underwater drone sea-mapping itself is worthwhile, these same AUVs will have multiple uses in many different areas. Perhaps the most interesting will involve finding long lost ships that offer clues into mishaps and misfortunes across time. In any case, the future of modern-day sea exploration is now. AUVs and drones have ushered in a completely new era of oceanic discovery.
Outsourcing is essential for business growth–read why in this Bold story.
