Gliding Underwater

Here is a silent lurker that keeps an eye on the oceans and is eco friendly as well - t

Robot glider harvests ocean heat

By Jonathan Fildes Science and technology reporter, BBC News

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A sea-going robotic glider that harvests heat energy from the ocean has been tested by US scientists.

The yellow, torpedo-shaped machine has been combing the depths of seas around the Caribbean since December 2007.

The team who developed the autonomous vehicle say it has covered "thousands of kilometres" during the tests.

Without the need for batteries, the team believe the glider could undertake oceanographic surveys for up to six months at a time.

"We are tapping a virtually unlimited energy source for propulsion," said Dave Fratantoni of the Wood's Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOi).