NYCkayaker Robot Kayaks

[john mcgarvey]

Kayaks adapted to test marine robotics

MIT researchers are working toward the day when a team of robots  
could be put into action like a team of Navy SEALs -- doing such  
dangerous work as searching for survivors after devastating  
hurricanes or sweeping harbors for mines.

Working in labs that resemble machine shops, these engineers are  
taking small steps toward the holy grail of robotics -- cooperative  
autonomy -- making machines work together seamlessly to complete  
tasks with a minimum of human direction.

The tool they're using is the simple kayak.

The researchers are taking off-the-shelf, $500 plastic kayaks and  
fitting them with onboard computers, radio control, propulsion,  
steering, communications and more to create Surface Crafts for  
Oceanographic and Undersea Testing (SCOUTs).

more-

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2006/scout.html






John McGarvey
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