Liquid Robotics Reveals Sailing Robot Data Center: How to Stay at Sea for Months

Imagine a sea-going robot that sails across the world's oceans, collecting data as it effortlessly glides across waves. Now imagine if that robot never had to refuel and could stay out on the water indefinitely, constantly sending back information to waiting scientists or, in other scenarios, the military.

It turns out that the robot now exists. The Wave Glider SV3 is the world's first hybrid wave and solar propelled unmanned ocean robot. Created by Liquid Robotics, It incorporates the latest advancements in energy harvesting technology in order to perpetually remain at sea.

"The SV3 enables unparalleled, pervasive collection of data and processing of data," said Roger Hine, CTO and inventor of the Wave Glider, in a press release. "Riding the advancement in consumer electronics, smart phone, tablet computing and a new generation of capable processors, we are now able to provide processing onboard."

Earlier models of the Wave Glider only utilized wave power for propulsion. This newest model, though, also employs solar panels and battery storage capacity in order to stay at sea almost indefinitely. The only thing that would limit the surfboard-like robot would be fouling or hardware failure.

In fact, previous models have already been widely successful, despite having less power. In November 2011, two Wave Gliders set out from San Francisco and journeyed 9,400 miles across the Pacific Ocean.

Needless to say, these robots have enormous potential. They could provide crucial data about ocean environmental conditions, or even be utilized to survey rare wildlife or to warn coastlines of tsunamis. The Navy in particular is interested in creating an undersea robot that can last great distances and perform operations that range from surveillance to mine destruction to submarine hunting, according to Wired magazine.

The technology doesn't come cheap, though. The new Wave Glider model will cost $300,000, according to Venture Beat. Yet it more than makes up for the price with increased horsepower and the ability to stay out longer on the ocean.