Heartless conquest of the Atlantic

Centuries after the first Europeans who reached the coast of the New World, in October another batch of desperate brave souls will set off to conquer the expanses of the Atlantic. Raising the sails off the coast of Portugal, 8 pairs of steel arms and a difficult number of eyes will rule their single yachts to the Caribbean archipelago, in the paradise bay of Martinique. But apart from the natural advantages that the 21st century seafarers provide, these guys have one more minor difference from the pioneer researchers. They are robots.

A typical representative of the flotilla is the “Pinta” roboat (named after one of the ships of Columbus). It is a reduced and cheaper copy of the Beagle B robot (pictured), developed by specialists at the University of Aberystwyth (Wales) to automatically collect information on pollution of the waters of the World Ocean. The vessel weighs 150 kg and develops a speed of up to 4 knots. The solar battery powers the drive, turning the sail and the tiller. With a successful outcome, "Pinta" can go through the planned route in 3 months.

Competition Briton will make another 7 robots from 6 countries. The work done on them in the future can significantly simplify the task of monitoring the state of ocean waters and the marine biosphere. Well, and besides, it seems it's time to slowly start collecting posters "Glory to the robots!".
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via The Times Online