The new sub, developed by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, can hover in place and make its own decisions. It is designed to allow more complex missions in the deep ocean.
Odyssey IV, an unmanned automated underwater vehicle, can plunge to depths of up to 6 km beneath the ocean. Unlike most underwater vehicles, it can hover in place, meaning it can do more than just taking photos – for example, collecting deep sea corals.
Franz Hover’s team launches Odyssey IV for a test dive. A crew of two mechanical engineers, one electrical engineer and a software programmer are needed on the boat to maintain and control the craft.
Odyssey IV’s top speed is around 2 metres per second. Getting down to great depths, though, can be aided with iron weights.
Commercially available – and hence affordable – thrusters designed for other less-advanced subs power and steer the new craft, which can pivot on its axis and hover in place.
The submarine’s 450-kg weight is kept bouyant by 100 kg of tough borosilicate-glass balls.
The compact, low-power microprocessor powering the craft was designed for the cheap XO laptop built by the OLPC project for developing world children.
