This autonomous robotic ship explores a volcano in Tonga
British researchers are sending an autonomous robot ship to a volcano in Tonga that erupted a few weeks ago. The USV Maxlimer is to provide data on the eruption.
While research has made breathtaking strides over the past century, our planet continues to hold secrets. Because there are places that we cannot explore so easily.
This includes, for example, the volcano Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai, which surprised with a gigantic eruption this year. It was the cause of a tsunami the size of the US Statue of Liberty.
If such extreme events occur more frequently or are near the coast of a country, there is a risk to life and limb. Therefore want a British research team investigate the reasons for the volcanic eruption.
Autonomous robot ship travels alone to the volcano
To study the volcano in Tonga, a manned mission would be very dangerous. Therefore, the UPS Maxlimer should take over this task. The advantage: The robot ship does not have any crew and therefore drives autonomously.
The structure, which is around twelve meters long, includes a large number of sensors, allowing the researchers to control the ship directly from Great Britain. In addition, the scientists can transport large loads with the USV Maxlimer.
The robot ship is powered by a diesel-electric motor and, in the best-case scenario, stays at sea for up to 14 days. In addition to the high efficiency, the use of the ship is also environmentally friendly. Because compared to manned missions, the construction requires only about one twentieth of the fuel.
Tonga as the first major mission for the autonomous robot ship
The next few days will show to what extent the autonomous UPS Maxlimer can be successful on a research mission. In a first attempt, the robot ship was already convincing on a transport route between the United Kingdom and Belgium. The research team is now looking to see whether it can also successfully overcome the thousands of kilometers of distance.
The USV Maxlimer is not the only unmanned vessel crossing the ocean. Last May, the electric trimaran MAS400 also started an attempt to cross the Atlantic. In addition, Norway launched an autonomous and electric container ship in August 2021.
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