ROBY goes to Antarctica

The IX Italian Expedition 1993-94 of PNRA (Programma Nazionale di Ricerche in Antartide) included the first experimental campaign in Antarctica in the field of underwater robotics. It can be described as a pilot mission to better define the role of this technology in the future of Antarctic exploration. The work plan was as follows: to test and develop the CPR-IAN test-bed prototype called ROBY; to verify requirements and constraints of the SARA (Sottomarino Autonomo Robotizzato Antartica), an advanced Antarctic AUV currently being designed by a consortium including CNR, ENEA, Tecnomare and others; and to help scientists collect oceanographic data. The results were satisfactory both from the technical and scientific points of view. Roby worked well in all renditions and no electrical or mechanical problems arose from either the low temperatures or rough treatment involved in such harsh working conditions. Eighteen dives were performed at a maximum depth of 150 metres for a total underwater working time of 20 hours. Most of the marine environments of Terra Nova Bay were explored and documented in the form of video and data; the work met with a favourable response from marine biologists and oceanographers, who will use the collected data for their studies. >