Spotted: According to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC), our oceans have absorbed 90 per cent of all heat generated by rising greenhouse gas emissions and taken in 30 per cent of carbon emissions. Climate change, along with direct human activity like overfishing, is having a devastating impact on ocean biodiversity. Mapping these underwater environments provides experts with baseline data, with which they can monitor change and plan for mitigation. Belgium robotics company uWare is helping gather that data with autonomous underwater robots. 

Called the uOne, the system’s robot inspects both built and natural environments, providing essential data to organisations with underwater assets, as well as those working to conserve and repair marine habitats. The robots are programmed for consistent, continuous monitoring of a certain set of geolocal parameters and run for up to four hours at a time, remaining stable even in harsh weather conditions.  

The autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) deploy from shore or a boat and do not require users to be in the water. Monitoring routes are saved and repeated as regularly as required, with bespoke analyses of new locations or highly specific locations added whenever needed.

UWare provides multiple data packages to clients. The initial gathering of data provides high-resolution imagery, depth and temperature readings, and other types of information tracking can be added to the drone’s capabilities depending on the environment being surveyed. The cloud-based uDataboard stores and tracks the data, and users can download raw files for in-house analysis. UWare can also provide visualisations and automated processing for easy, quick review and sharing of information.   

AUVs are frequently taking on some of the more dangerous jobs in monitoring the health of the world’s oceans. In the archive, Springwise has also spotted remote-controlled robots monitoring underwater gas leaks and a jellyfish-like robot collecting rubbish.

Written By: Keely Khoury