Check out this new solar-powered autonomous underwater vehicle. It is designed to provide better observation and monitoring of complex aquatic systems. This vehicle can be used for testing dissolved oxygen levels for example, as well as applications to environmental management and security and defense programs.

The solar-powered autonomous underwater vehicle works using integrated sensor microsystems, pervasive computing, wireless communications, and sensor mobility with robotics. In real time, they will network with one another to assess a water body as a whole. The U.S. Navy has paid attention to this vehicle and will evaluate their use for coastal surveillance applications.

The SAUV weighs 370 pounds, moves slowly at 2 miles per hour, but can dive to depths up to 500 meters.

For more information, check the links below:

• Journal of Field tests of two SAUVs ,SAUV II and REMUS, in Lake George, NY at the Autonomous Undersea Systems Institute.
• Solar-powered Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (Divester)
• Rensselaer Researcher To Showcase New Solar Underwater Robot Technology (CCN Magazine)

[ Via Travelizmo ]