A New Generation of Robots Is Set to Explore Marine Mysteries Around the World Christina Nunez - National Geographic
go to original July 29, 2017

The OpenROV is an open-source, low-cost underwater robot used for exploration and education. A capable tool as well as a great introduction to the world of marine robotics. (OpenROV)

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Later this year, an army of small swimming robots is set to plumb the mysteries of oceans around the world. Each one will have its own mission, as defined by citizen scientists interested in everything from reefs to "robomussels" that can self-monitor temperature.

The underwater drones are the latest iteration of National Geographic Emerging Explorer David Lang's OpenROV project, an effort to accelerate marine discoveries by unveiling the ocean to more people via cameras on ROVs (remotely operated vehicles).

With a grant from director James Cameron's Avatar Alliance Foundation and other supporters, the group will distribute 1,000 units of its newest drone, the Trident, over the course of the next year through the companion site OpenExplorer. In addition to citizen scientists, the free drones will go to nonprofit organizations and classrooms.

Safeguarding fish stocks in the Mexican Caribbean

"You can't protect what you don't understand," Lang says. "We've seen groups use the underwater drones to help educate fishing communities on the biology of the ecosystems they rely on."

The group COBI, which works to conserve marine areas in Mexico, is identifying spawning sites for grouper and snapper in the Caribbean to prevent overfishing. While local fishers are being trained to dive and monitor the sites, the group says on its project page the drone can be used "to document the deeper sites where we can't dive."



Check out other examples of innovative expeditions that are helping protect the world's waters at National Geographic

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