A new AI-powered underwater drone called 'Hydrus' from Advanced Navigation is now tasked with mapping shipwrecks off the coast in Western Australia. This new drone is an autonomous diving robotic drone that was developed in Perth for several years before finally achieving its final form, equipped with top-spec tech, and ready for its exploration.
Researchers are now employing Hydrus to gather valuable data from the treacherous waters, offering more insight into what is below.
AI-Powered Underwater 'Hydrus' Drone Looks to Map AUS' Shipwrecks
Advanced Navigation's AI-powered underwater drone, Hydrus, was recently sent to the Rottnest ship graveyard, an infamous region in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Western Australia known for its many shipwrecks. The drone is given a plan before it dives deep into uncharted territory, and it does its mission autonomously, claims the company, and can spot a 64-meter shipwreck on the seafloor.
The company said that there are three million undiscovered shipwrecks in the world, and as many as 1,819 of these are said to be located on Western Australia's coast.
Additionally, the data gathered by Hydrus has already helped in creating maps and a high-resolution replica of the wrecked ship for further study.
Hydrus Comes Prepared: Top-Spec Technology for Autonomous Drone
Hydrus is fully equipped for underwater exploration with top-spec technology, including a 4K camera for images and videos, log-precise GPS coordinates, and the AI powering its operations.
It can deliver clear and precise outputs with geo-reference imagery and video, offering valuable data that discovers shipwrecks and gives more information about the unknown depths.
Underwater Drones: Diving Deeper for Better Exploration
The deep waters are dangerous for humans, but there have been many developments centering on underwater drones that can dive deeper and easily gather more intelligence. While they have different goals, their main purpose is to go beyond a person's limitations, with little to no risk present apart from losing the tech.
Some underwater drone projects may have focused on finding lost or destroyed remnants or treasure, but others are also looking to help marine life. Germany's EvoLogics recently upgraded the Quadroin, also known as the penguin-based autonomous underwater vehicle, to enhance its capabilities in monitoring the life beneath the waters.
Many questions are left unanswered in areas or regions that humans cannot reach or are beyond their physical and mental limitations, but that does not mean technology also faces this problem. Advanced Navigation's Hydrus AUV is now looking to do wonders for researchers and Australia to search its western coast and map the shipwrecks, seeking more answers and data than is possible with the AI-powered drone.
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