16th April 2014
Dr Matthew Dunbabin is available to talk about the use and capabilities of underwater robots in the search for the Malaysia Airlines plane.
Dr Dunbabin is an underwater roboticist and principal researcher in QUT's Robotics and Aerospace Systems and has worked with marine scientists in coastal environments mapping habitats on coral reefs for the past 10 years.
Key points about the 800kg autonomous underwater robot being used in the search:
- A very sophisticated, sonar-based machine capable of collecting high-resolution data for constructing maps of the sea floor.
- It is battery-powered and can stay underwater at the search depths of approximately 4500m for 24 hours.
- The one being used at the moment doesn't send back real-time map data. When it is brought back to the surface the data is downloaded to produce hi-res maps and analysed.
- It would take six seconds to send the robot a navigation message and receive a return ping - longer that it takes to get a message to and from the moon.
- If something is found on the maps, the search team sends down a tethered underwater robot which gives real-time video feed.
Media contact: Niki Widdowson, 07 3138 2999 or n.widdowson@qut.edu.au
