The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) lab in Seattle is using a robotic device, called wave glider, to find out more about what lays in ocean depths.
The SmartPlanet explains characteristics of the device in its online news, saying that the glider reminds of a simple surfboard, but beyond what the eye meets lays the performance in gathering information about ocean acidification, CO2 levels, water temperature, Ph levels, salinity and oxygen.
Precisely, the wave glider converts wave motion into power instantly, pulling the float along a programmed or piloted path. In the same time, solar panels fill the batteries for sensors and communications. Pilots can control the wave gliders by using any device with an Internet connection, because the data are transmitted to shore via satellite.
Among variety of sectors in which wave gliders can come in handy, they can be used to collect data on potential offshore wind or wave power sites.
The device was invented by a marine technology company, Liquid Robotics, and costs USD 200,000.
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Offshore WIND staff, July 22, 2012; Image: Liquid Robotics