<
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/12/cold-remote-and-risky-why-australia-is-turning-to-robots-to-boost-its-presence-in-antarctica>
"Robots could soon collect tissue samples from whales off the coast of
Antarctica or fly long distances over the icy continent with surveillance
cameras, allowing Australian scientists to observe dangerous and previously
inaccessible areas.
The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) has partnered with Prof Peter Corke, a
robotics expert, to develop a shortlist of new technologies that could improve
safety and scientific research on the continent.
This process also has a strategic motivation; the federal government has a
10-year plan to boost its presence in the 42% of Antarctica where Australia has
a historical territorial claim.
“Antarctica is where the impacts of climate change are very strong and very
easy to discern, so it is important to study the changes in this environment,”
said Corke, who is a researcher at Queensland University of Technology.
“But doing this work in Antarctica is just incredibly challenging. It’s very
cold. It’s very windy. It’s very remote. Getting people to do this type of work
is expensive and there’s an element of risk.”
Corke, who has developed prototypes used at the International Space Station,
spent three months with AAD scientists in Hobart researching opportunities for
robots. His report has now been presented to the federal government.
The division is already using robots to study remote Adélie penguin colonies
and to map the ocean floor. Corke’s proposals include autonomous vehicles that
could service remote campsites."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
