Semi-submersible e-boat makes zero-emission marine ecotourism splash

A remarkable semi-submersible ecotourism concept that takes passengers above and below the water has just received a zero-emission boost thanks to a new partnership between Platypus Craft and electric outboard manufacturer Evoy.Continue ReadingCategory… Continue reading Semi-submersible e-boat makes zero-emission marine ecotourism splash

Coordinated jet propulsion corkscrews these odd creatures through the water

A strange sea creature known as the salp reproduces asexually, building long chains of clones. Researchers have now decoded the way these long salp chains propel themselves, a finding that could lead to better propulsion systems for underwater vehicles… Continue reading Coordinated jet propulsion corkscrews these odd creatures through the water

Energy-efficient underwater robot rises and falls via fuel-cell balloons

If scuba divers use inflatable BCDs (buoyancy control devices), why don’t underwater robots? Well, an experimental new one does, and the technology is claimed to be much more energy-efficient than traditional methods of moving up and down in the water…. Continue reading Energy-efficient underwater robot rises and falls via fuel-cell balloons

Sea-bed ‘air batteries’ offer cheaper long-term energy storage

Israeli company BaroMar is preparing to test a clever new angle on grid-level energy storage, which it says will be the cheapest way to stabilize renewable grids over longer time scales. This innovative system lets water do the work.Continue ReadingCat… Continue reading Sea-bed ‘air batteries’ offer cheaper long-term energy storage

Video: Bio-inspired aquatic robot shoots through the water like a penguin

Penguins are fast, fantastic swimmers, so why not make an underwater robot inspired by them? That’s just what German underwater tech company EvoLogics has done, with its new-and-improved Quadroin AUV (autonomous underwater vehicle).Continue ReadingCate… Continue reading Video: Bio-inspired aquatic robot shoots through the water like a penguin

Acoustic navigational tech gets scuba divers using GPS maps

Because GPS doesn’t work underwater, divers usually can’t track their real-time position on a digital map. The new Diver Navigation System (DNS) gets around that problem, however, using both floating and wearable acoustic transponders.Continue ReadingC… Continue reading Acoustic navigational tech gets scuba divers using GPS maps

Video: Multi-talented underwater robot uses fins to swim, walk and crawl

A new underwater robot can swim through the water with fins, and walk or crawl along the bottom when necessary. These capabilities could really give it a leg up – pun fully intended – at outperforming its traditional thruster-powered counterparts.Conti… Continue reading Video: Multi-talented underwater robot uses fins to swim, walk and crawl

Northrop Grumman debuts Manta Ray robotic underwater glider

Northrop Grumman introduces its first completed prototype Manta Ray Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle (UUV) that it is developing for DARPA. The extra-large submarine glider is designed to carry out long-range undersea missions without human assistance.Conti… Continue reading Northrop Grumman debuts Manta Ray robotic underwater glider