Autonomous and long-term monitoring systems
Ocean gliders and floats: These autonomous vehicles collect data on temperature, salinity, and currents over vast distances for long periods without human intervention. For example, profiling floats collect vertical profiles of ocean conditions, which helps refine weather forecasts.
Ocean observatories: These fixed or moored platforms are equipped with sensors that provide long-term power and communication links. They collect real-time data on a wide range of oceanographic properties, providing a continuous record of environmental conditions.Â
Imaging and analysis systems
Advanced imaging: High-resolution cameras, underwater microscopes, and 3D reconstruction techniques allow scientists to capture detailed images of marine life. This is crucial for studying fragile organisms like plankton and deep-sea creatures, with some systems able to produce a detailed "cybertype" of a specimen in minutes.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and computer vision: AI is used to analyze the massive amounts of data and imagery collected by autonomous vehicles and other sensors. Machine learning algorithms can automatically identify and count marine species in footage, track individual animals, and monitor habitat health.