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Galatea
Offshore wind farms at sea have one annoying side effect: loud noise. The increased sound level has a harmful effect on marine life, especially marine mammals. To protect marine life the noise has to be reduced somehow. In order to develop sustainable measures the noise has to be measured first. Current vehicles are often too loud to measure this noise within the ocean.
Galatea, named after a sea-nymph from Greek mythology, is the first unmannedunderwater robot to do acoustic measurements. The robot can make a 4D mapping of the underwater noise level (3D space plus time). Its main advantage is its unique and silent propulsion system, which is inspired by the efficient and gracious movement of rays. The system generates less noise than classical propellers do. |
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Besides, it allows Galatea to make manoeuvres that are not possible with the classical underwater vehicles. For many applications an increased manoeuvrability is highly desirable.When inspecting underwater structures it is very useful to float around an object and observe it from all possible angles. In fact, the small, low-cost, efficient and flexible Galatea has many more opportunities, varying from underwater inspection to seafloor mapping and mine detection. Due to its modular design, sensors for temperature, algae growth, optical cameras, sonar systems and many more can all be easily incorporated.
