Four ocean-going robots from James Gosling’s employer Liquid Robotics have succeeded in securing a Guinness world record. The Wave Gliders have broken the record for an unmanned wave-powered vehicle by crossing 3,200 miles (5,150km) of Pacific water, breaking the previous record of 2,500 miles (4,023km). The Gliders achieved …

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Wednesday 14th March 2012 18:03 GMT Anonymous Coward

It's Tiny!

I was going to ask how this unmanned thing remained legal by keeping a proper lookout, or any lookout --- but it is tiny!

A spec sheet/leaflet can be downloaded here:

http://liquidr.com/technology/wave-glider-specifications/

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Wednesday 14th March 2012 18:03 GMT frank ly

What about wind power?

Did they consider putting a small and robust vertically oriented wind turbine on board for electricity generation?

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1. Wednesday 14th March 2012 19:45 GMT Yet Another Anonymous coward
  
  Re: What about wind power?
  
  Would require a big heavy keel and would probably lead to it being blown around and damaged in storms.
  
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2. Thursday 15th March 2012 11:17 GMT KitD
  
  Re: What about wind power?
  
  No need. It is propelled by its vertical motion with the waves (no motors at all) and the solar panels are plenty powerful enough for the electronics.
  
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Wednesday 14th March 2012 18:50 GMT admiraljkb

The beginnings of Aquanet?

Kinda like Skynet, but with water. :) Mine's the one with "I think we're going to need a bigger boat"

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Wednesday 14th March 2012 19:50 GMT Big Al

I for one...

... wish to welcome our new cyberaquatic overlords, who will doubtless be evolving themselves to walk on land etc. real soon now.

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Wednesday 14th March 2012 20:21 GMT NoneSuch

May I suggest...

That after LOHAN is concluded the briny deep be next in some way or another?

I am sure Lego makes a Playmobil Aquanaut. :)

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Wednesday 14th March 2012 22:00 GMT Anonymous Coward

Just a suggestion...

...but maybe this technology could be used for Italian cruise ships.

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1. Wednesday 14th March 2012 23:12 GMT Anonymous Coward
  
  Re: Just a suggestion...
  
  Yeah, at least you'd know when the water is shallow.
  
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2. Thursday 15th March 2012 09:26 GMT Displacement Activity
  
  Re: Just a suggestion...
  
  Don't think so. They should just add some more reverse gears.
  
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3. Thursday 15th March 2012 13:23 GMT admiraljkb
  
  Re: Just a suggestion...
  
  At least it won't get distracted by blondes!
  
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Thursday 15th March 2012 10:56 GMT Anonymous Coward

I have an application for this

All it needs is a stealth mode (dives to 50ft when it detects a hostile in the proximity) and It should only announce its position when it is contacted by a verified source.

It also needs to be able to carry a 200kg load.

Funding will not be a problem :)

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