We have reached the heights of space. Along with that, we have also travelled in the deepest region of the Oceans. These heights of space provide us with a way to the future. And the deepest region of the Oceans shows us our past.
Deep oceans have an abundance of natural resources. Along with this, the deep oceans have many secrets. So, to reveal the secrets and get access to natural resources, we are trying to go deeper into the oceans.
But how do we do so? Well, ever heard of “Autonomous Vehicles?” Well, that’s the key. But we will get to this later.
1. Deep Ocean Exploration
The deepest part of the ocean is unexplored. Around 95% of oceans are unexplored. We know about space a lot, but oceans are still the most profound secret. So, today we will tell you how to explore the ocean.
2. Challenges of Deep Sea Exploration
We all are aware of the incident of the Titanic. Its first wreck was discovered after 70 years after it sank. It was not easy. Also, we faced many challenges to find it. So, what are the difficulties? Let us discuss it.
Firstly, extreme water pressure is the main hurdle. It’s like 50 jumbo jets are piled on you! This is deadly for human beings. So, we can’t survive in such high-pressure conditions.
The next challenge is the freezing temperature in the deep sea. The human body cannot tolerate such low temperatures.
Also, the deep ocean is the darkest. Sunrays can’t reach the bottom of these oceans. So, deep ocean explorers face problems in navigating in the deep Oceans.
All these challenges make deep-Ocean travel more difficult.
Deep Ocean exploration is not only for discovery. It has wide applications. So, it has a significant role in the science industry. Also, its role in the environment is crucial.
3. AI-Powered Drones to the Rescue
In such harsh conditions, AI is the saviour for us. AI provides us with a manless exploration of the deep sea. AI-powered underwater drones are what makes it possible.
Speaking of AI-powered drones, Orpheus is a drone able to navigate in the dark. Also, it rushes the deep ocean autonomously.
The AI drones can identify and avoid obstacles. Also, they follow specific paths and adapt their mission in real time. This technology helps us to explore the ocean like never before.
We can expect these AI drones as futuristic submarines. These submarines will have a virtual captain. The captain will be able to see in the dark. AI can give us superhuman abilities while exploring the Ocean.
4. Discoveries Of New Species
Imagine you are exploring the deep Ocean. And you faced an unknown mysterious creature. It would be breathtaking, wouldn’t it?
This exactly happened with the scientist who came across blobfish. Blobfish is a deep ocean dweller.
The deep ocean exploration will lead to the discovery of new species. These species will be adapted to extreme environmental conditions. We may find thousands of species. These species may have different characteristics.
Every time we explore the deep ocean, we learn about incredible biodiversity. It is the biodiversity in the darkest region.
5. Uncovering The Secrets Of The Deep Oceans
In 2000, scientists discovered the lost underwater city. It had a tower-like structure up to 60 meters long.
The ocean floor is incredible. Also, deep-ocean exploration allows us to study ocean floors. The deep sea holds the key to understanding Earth’s geology. In the future, we may find more underwater cities. This will help us to know about the history of our planet.
Each time we explore the deep ocean we uncover the new truth. We may discover rare minerals, oils, and gas. The deep ocean holds treasure. An unwrapped treasure!
However, extracting the resources will have many ethical challenges.
6. Impact On Climate Science
The Deep Ocean has an important role in climate change. In 2014, scientists found that the deep ocean plays a crucial role in the climate of Earth.
Deep ocean current helps regulate the global temperature. It redistributes the heat around the whole planet.
Deep ocean sediments act as time capsules. Firstly, the capsule preserves the earth’s climate history. Again with this capsule, scientists can predict past climate events.
Also, this helps us to know about various factors; factors that drive climate change. This is like looking into the past. Also, these will give us an idea about the future.
Lastly, Deep-ocean organisms have a crucial role in the carbon cycle. Many Deep-Ocean organisms feed on the dead creatures.
This dead creature is one who sank into the sea. These organisms help to convert them into carbon. Also, prevents them from reentering into the environment.
This proves that the deep ocean has a delicate balance with our climate.
7. Medical Aspects For Deep Sea Exploration
In 2015, scientists found a cancer-fighting compound in the deep ocean. The compound was in the deep ocean sponge. It saved many lives.
The deep ocean creatures are adapted to live in harsh conditions. This enables them to the creation of novel products. These products have great uses in the medical field.
Also, by studying them we can create new treatments for various diseases. Each new species we discover comes up with innovations. But we have to do deep ocean exploration with proper ethics.
8. Technological Innovation Inspired By Deep Sea Life
In 2012, Scientists developed the pressure-resistant camera. This camera can handle the pressure in the deep ocean.
We have thousands of technological innovations to explore the deep ocean. We have underwater robots with cutting-edge material.
The improvements lead to discovery of the bio-inspired materials too. Sharkskin is one such material. It reduces drag. Also, it prevents bacterial growth.
The Sharkskin is used to make swimsuits. It also has wide application in the medical field.
9. AI-Based Vehicles For Deep Ocean Exploration
In 2011, we launched a submarine. That submarine could reach a depth that humans have never reached. This marked a new era in deep-ocean exploration.
Very soon, we will be able to go deeper into the ocean. It will uncover new species. Also, we may find different geological features.
One more important aspect is developing underwater habitats. Also, we will need to build a research center. But habiting the surface of the ocean is quite risky.
But with the help of AI, it could get simpler. AI will allow us to research the Ocean virtually. There will be zero risk.
So, now we are going to discuss automated AI-based vehicles to explore the Ocean.
9.1 Saildrone Robot
These automated sail drone robots are currently mapping the ocean floor. Also, collecting the weather data. It counts the number of fishes present in the ocean too.
These sail drone robots can count wildlife all around the globe. Also, these sail drones are useful to measure the climate changes occurring. It monitors the current change happening all around the globe.
It is an unmanned Ocean surface vehicle. We use solar power to provide energy to them. For the last 10-11 years we have been using them. Saildrone robot collects real-time information about the weather.
We can study meteorology, and oceanography by the sail drones. Saildrones are kept on sailboats. And it moves freely on the water’s surface.
It is around 23-25 meters long. We operate them by satellites remotely. Sail drones are fitted with several data sensors and radar equipment. Also, it consists of solar panels and high-resolution cameras.
It can monitor various things. Ocean currents, wind speeds, and sunlight radiation could be measured by it. Also, we can measure the CO2 emission in the environment.
We customize the sail drones by mission portal. The sail drones can travel in harsh habitats. As it is unmanned, it is safe. Also, it’s cost-effective.
Sail drones use single-beam, multi-beam sonar bathymetry. It is used for mapping the ocean landscape. So, a sail drone provides us with a detailed view of the ocean floor. Also, it’s very crucial as oceans make up around 70% area of the earth
Sonars can measure the depth of the ocean. Bathymetry measures the seabed of our planet.
9.1.1 Another Use Of Sail Drones
It is also used in keeping an eye on illegal activities through the sea. It may be drug smuggling and illegal fishing. Also, it sends images of suspicious boats. So, we can use sail drones for border security.
By sonar technology, we can count the fish in the sea. So, we can regulate the fishing. These help us to avoid overfishing.
Sail drones are extremely valuable. It offers several applications. It is the first and fastest unmanned vehicle to cross the Atlantic Ocean in both directions.
9.2 AUVs
AUV stands for autonomous underwater vehicles. It can map the largest seabed area.
The speed of this AUV is much faster than other vehicles. Therefore, AUVs can work much faster than normal underwater vehicles.
These unmanned vehicles are designed to control autonomously. So, they are independent of human supervision.
The AUV carries out various tasks and collects data. Through the data, we can measure the quality of ocean water or bathymetry of the ocean floor.
Also, it helps in navigating the deep ocean. It acts as GPS under the ocean! Locating things under the ocean becomes easier due to AUV.
The AUV technology is new but carries more advantages than traditional submarines. Our traditional submarines were controlled by humans. So, more space was required. As AUV is unmanned, it is small in structure. With a small structure, it can go deeper into the ocean.
These vehicles are designed to handle the tremendous pressure of the ocean. As the ocean depth is darkest there is no light. So, to take pictures AUV brings its illumination.
There is no internet, and no cell service in the ocean. So, communicating the AUV is tough. To solve this, oceanographers communicate with AUV by sound waves.
The bandwidth of the sound that we receive from the ocean is quite low. So, the information that we get through it is very small.
9.2.1 New AUV Technology
The new AUV technology aims to script these limitations. It can be done through swarming. Swarming is also known as collaborative autonomy.
In collaborative autonomy, we could program a bunch of robots. These robots can work cooperatively. So, it will help them to share information and jointly make decisions. Also, we can fit the various sensors on AUVs so that they can communicate with us effectively.
If AUVs collaborate spatial awareness and navigation will improve. Also, we can re-task the vehicle. All these things effectively enhance the power of AUVs.
9.2.1.1 Maya- AUV generated by NIO
Maya is an AUV. National Institute of Oceanography, Goa [NIO, Goa] created this AUV.
Maya is a robot submarine. In Goa, many locals rely on the sea for fishing and leisure. So, it was created to monitor the health of the oceans.
One end of the Maya is slender and ellipsoid. Therefore, It has a low drag in the water. In the central unit, there are several sensors are mounted.
Once Maya is propelled it can count an unlimited number of things. This can help locals to know the fish count. So, they could regulate fishing.
10. High-Tech Robots Revealing Details Of Deep
AI is helping us a lot while exploring the oceans. AI made the impossible things possible. So, let us see in what aspects, robots help to know the details of the deep ocean.
Robotic vehicles help us to explore the remote habitats of Earth. Also, we can explore mineral-rich water from beneath the earth’s crust.
Some ecosystems are completely isolated from sunlight. It has great significance in biological research. Because all the organisms on earth use sunlight directly or indirectly for making food. The bottom of the ocean is dark. So, the organisms perform chemosynthesis for food production.
The sampling arm of AUVs can help us to collect seafloor animals. So, we can analyze the DNA of an organism. This can help us to trace the evolutionary pathways.
Sonar images help us to detect the seafloor layer. It helps us to detect how hard or soft the surface is. These details help us to study the geology of the earth’s surface.
11. Things to Keep in Mind
Our oceans are a treasure of resources. But that doesn’t mean to keep on using those resources. The resources can help us to address future challenges. We should preserve the oceans as they constitute most of the ecosystem.
Oceans are the source of life. Also, it plays a critical role in regulating global climate. So, it’s our responsibility to take care of the ocean. We should preserve the ecosystem of the oceans.
Even though, if we get access to the sources of the ocean, we should not overuse them. Again, we should use automated vehicles not just for our welfare but also to control pollution in the deep ocean.
12. Conclusion
Till now we have discussed ocean exploration and automated vehicles to travel. The ocean played an important role in the evolution of life on Earth. The first life was created in the ocean. Still, many ecosystems exist in the deep sea.
As technology advances and new exploration tools are developed, understanding the ocean becomes more and more easier.
Many organizations are working on exploring the deep ocean through automated vehicles. They aim to collect all the data to create a definitive map of the ocean floor and soon make it available to everyone.
Soon we may have a vastly different understanding of our largest natural source. Our future may depend on it. Studying the oceans is essential to understanding the planet and how it works.
Studying the ocean is also important for understanding and preserving our marine ecosystem. Many organizations from all over the world are doing extensive research to better understand marine biodiversity.
Climate change and ocean acidification are affecting the oceans. Through research and knowledge, we can create significant advances in ocean preservation.
So, while exploring the ocean we have to take proper care. Also, we have to spread awareness of preserving the ocean. As we all know space exploration is important for us in the same way ocean exploration is crucial for various fields.
What’s your opinion about deep Ocean exploration? What are the methods to enhance the power of AI-based automated deep-ocean exploration vehicles? Also, What ethics should be followed while exploring the oceans? Comment down below!
Last Updated on September 13, 2023 by Apeksha Soni
