Researchers Develop a Robotic Tail-Sporting Entity, Pursue Submerged Artifacts
In the realm of underwater exploration, the latest advancements are revolutionising the way we delve into the depths of the ocean. Leading this charge is OceanOne, a remarkable robotic device designed to act as a human avatar, enabling safer and more effective exploration of complex underwater environments.
OceanOneK, the newest iteration of OceanOne, developed at Stanford University, is a testament to this progress. Equipped with 3D vision and haptic feedback, OceanOneK can navigate and manipulate underwater environments with an unprecedented level of precision. This allows it to explore dangerous and inaccessible sites such as the ancient Roman shipwrecks and WWII submarines, without putting human divers at risk.
The integration of robotic electronic skins (e-skins) and machine learning is another significant development. These advanced sensors provide tactile and proprioceptive feedback, enabling robots to maintain contact with objects, track edges, and explore unknown shapes effectively. This technology empowers robots like OceanOne to adjust their movements based on continual sensory input, improving the efficiency and safety of underwater archaeological missions.
The Schmidt Ocean Institute's robot recently hit its 800th dive milestone, demonstrating the increasing reliability and endurance of modern underwater exploration robots. This durability is crucial for extended research missions that include archaeological exploration at deep and difficult-to-reach sites.
Applications in underwater archaeology have greatly benefited from these advancements. Robots like OceanOne and OceanOneK can access and document delicate ancient shipwrecks with minimal disturbance, use high-resolution 3D mapping and vision systems to create detailed records of underwater heritage sites, and employ haptic feedback to handle artifacts carefully, preserving their integrity during retrieval or examination. They can even operate in hostile environments, such as deep trenches or wrecks contaminated with hazardous materials, where human presence is risky.
Recently, OceanOne made headlines for its exploration of the 17th-Century frigate La Lune wreck in the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Toulon, France. During this expedition, OceanOne encountered a vase, which was carefully retrieved by the robot. The vase is likely to provide valuable historical information about the ship and the era it represents.
Professor Oussama Khatib, who designed OceanOne, was able to feel the vase's contours and weight through the haptic feedback system of OceanOne, demonstrating the robot's effectiveness in archaeological underwater exploration. This successful retrieval adds to the growing list of achievements by OceanOne in underwater exploration and archaeology.
While OceanOne may resemble a humanoid robot, complete with two hands and stereo vision, it is important to clarify that it is not a real mermaid. OceanOne is a robotic device designed to mimic human exploration underwater, not to confirm the existence of actual mermaids. Nevertheless, its capabilities are truly mermaid-like, enabling it to delve into the depths of the ocean and bring back treasures from the past.
In conclusion, the advancements in underwater robots like OceanOne are heralding a new era for underwater archaeology. These robots serve as extensions of human researchers, enabling deeper, safer, and more precise exploration of submerged cultural heritage. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect even more exciting discoveries to emerge from the depths of the ocean.
- The integration of science and technology, such as the use of 3D vision, haptic feedback, robotic electronic skins (e-skins), and machine learning, are playing crucial roles in advancing underwater robots like OceanOneK, revolutionizing the field of underwater exploration and archaeology.
- The latest advancements in science and technology, including the development of robots like OceanOne and OceanOneK, are enabling richer and safer underwater exploration, allowing the retrieval of precious artifacts like the vase found from the 17th-Century frigate La Lune wreck without risking human divers.
