The robot descended to the record depth of the Granitsky Abyss: what did it “see” there?

Engineers developed the UX-1Neo robot and lowered it to a record 450 m into the Border Abyss, the deepest

underwater cave in the world.Portuguese researchers from the Institute of Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science (INESC TEC), in collaboration with the Czech Speleological Society, UNEXMIN GeoRobotics and the University of Miskolc, recently broke the record. They also revealed details about the depth of this “miracle of nature”, which “is not as popular as it deserves,” representatives of INESC Brussels HUB report.

UX-1Neo is a hybrid ROV/AUV robot thatcan work both autonomously and with remote control. Its advanced navigation and sensors provide the vehicle with an accurate understanding of its environment and its position. As the researchers write, this turned out to be a decisive advantage when studying the Czech cave.

Spherical robot in water. Photo: Photo: UNEX

It is believed that the Hranice Abyss was formedas a result of the collapse of a funnel. According to the latest estimates, based on the temperature and chemical analysis of the water, the depth of the abyss may be more than 1000 meters.

The first maps of the cave were compiled based onobservations of divers who descended to a depth of 180 m. A few years ago, Krzysztof Starnawski reached 217 m and launched a probe from this position that reached 384 m. Despite the fact that the diver achieved amazing results, there was not enough data. The UX-1Neo now provides a detailed map of the cave, something that was not possible before. Thanks to the sensors, the robot “saw” the details of the cave walls in every detail.

Map of the cave section at a depth of about 450 m. The rest of the map fragments are in the video below. Photo: UNEX

As the authors of the development explain, UX-1NeoIt is distinguished by precise positioning and unique characteristics that “allow it to perform missions that no other robot can handle.”

It is equipped with built-in sonars, cameras,engines, structured lighting systems, floating systems and other equipment. The robot also has a hyperspectral unit that collects and processes information from the entire electromagnetic spectrum. 

All this helped scientists build a detailedthree-dimensional map of the study area. “During our mission in the Czech Republic, we created such a map in two days. The scientific community has been trying to achieve this for the last 50 years,” the project participants conclude.

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