Britain's Isis ROV set to trawl the depths of Antarctica

We've seen mechanical devices creep through the inside of intestines, huge mounds of dirt, and even through the San Francisco Bay, but now a British deep-diving remotely operated vehicle (ROV) is getting set to probe the depths of Antarctica. In hopes of uncovering more about the effects of glaciers on the ocean floor, as well as details about the living creatures that inhabit said areas, UK scientists are carting the machine aboard the RSS James Clark Ross as they head for the Marguerite Bay area on the west side of the Antarctic Peninsula. The robot, dubbed Isis, will spend time on its inaugural January mission combing the seabed and channeling live video and pictures back to its captains via the built-in cameras, lights, sonars for acoustic navigation / imaging, and two remotely-controlled manipulator arms. Once the bot gets dried off (and thawed out) from its arctic expedition, the next tour of duty is already lined up, as Isis will head off to the Portuguese coast to do a bit more sightseeing. Of course, if you're interested in taking the £4.5 million ($8.81 million) creature out for a mission you deem worthwhile, it should be available for deep-pocketed renters soon after.

[callanish @ Dec 28th 2006 11:47PM]

damn, I knew I should have asked for one of those for Christmas!

[strider_mt2k @ Dec 29th 2006 12:19AM]

ROVs rule!

[vishal @ Dec 29th 2006 12:24AM]

i suspect the success of this robot as it has a boxier shape that will be an obstacle in its movement. a robot with a sleek shape must have proved much better in order to explore narrow places.

[Dustin @ Dec 29th 2006 12:26AM]

I don't understand a $9m price tag on something that includes a milk crate

[nothing now @ Dec 29th 2006 1:11AM]

cool probably find some new fish bet a seal eats the eggcrate

[gezepi @ Dec 29th 2006 11:30AM]

"(and thawed out) from its arctic expedition"
It would be its Antarctic expedition. Arctic is the North Pole.
I always find it annoying when Grammar-Nazis complain, but here I am.

[Bernard @ Dec 29th 2006 4:25AM]

Semi-Live images from the ship, and links to the present location:

http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/Living_and_Working/Transport/Ships/Webcam/

2007 is the start of the International Polar Year:

http://www.ipy.org/start/

[alex @ Dec 29th 2006 12:32PM]

I hate to sound jaded but how is this news ? ROV's have been to antartica before and ROV's been around for along time. I work with them everyday and two we have on the ship I'm on as write this can eat this thing for lunch....

[Diver Al at Scubaology.com @ Jan 1st 2007 10:39AM]

Interesting article. There are other unmanned underwater vehicles used to explore the oceans. Some can be found at http://www.scubaology.com/archives/2006/12/29/underwater-explorers/trackback