The Applied Physics Lab at the University of Washington has developed a small, free-swimming vehicle called SeaGlider, that can gather oceanographic data for months at a time and transmit it to shore in near-real time via satellite data telemetry. A Seaglider recently stayed at sea for over 5 months.
What is interesting is that the Seaglider has no external moving parts and uses very little energy.
This is a buoyancy-driven vehicle, as opposed to a propeller-driven one. Propulsion is achieved by buoyancy control effected by variation of vehicle-displaced volume. Wings provide hydrodynamic lift to propel the vehicle forward as it sinks or rises. In other words, the Seaglider expands or contracts slightly, causing it to rise or sink.
After each dive Seaglider raises its antenna out of the water. It determines its position via GPS, calls in via Iridium data telemetry satellite, uploads the oceanographic data it just collected, then downloads a file complete with any new instructions.
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I’d love to see a version of this vehicle for recreational purposes.
This vehicle should be Exhibit A for anyone who doubts the power of alternative forms of energy.