Liquid Robotics and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced the signing of a multi-year, Cooperative Research & Development Agreement (CRADA) designed to advance ocean observations to improve U.S. weather forecasting, fisheries management and environmental monitoring.
The NOAA/Liquid Robotics CRADA combines the significant product capabilities of the Wave Glider, a revolutionary, wave powered unmanned ocean robot, with NOAA’s engineering, data analysis and modeling expertise for applications that will have long-term benefits to the general public.
“Over several years, we’ve worked closely with Liquid Robotics on multiple applications with their innovative technology, the Wave Glider. We’ve used the Wave Glider to demonstrate advances in hurricane forecasting, measure CO2 levels, monitor the Arctic marine environment, detect tsunamis and collect fisheries data,” said Craig McLean, NOAA’s deputy assistant administrator of the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research. “I am pleased to establish this agreement to strengthen our important partnership and to improve environmental observations.”
The NOAA/Liquid Robotics CRADA will focus research on three primary areas:
More specifically, the CRADA will involve collaboration for:
Additionally, there will be research expeditions to augment weather satellite data collection records by providing high resolution, surface (in-situ) data over long duration time periods (up to a year) and vast ocean expanses never before affordable or feasible to collect.
“We are excited to be working closely together with NOAA to advance ocean observations with long duration autonomous systems,” said Bill Vass, CEO of Liquid Robotics. ”We believe our Wave Glider technology provides a cost efficient way to gather scientific and environmental data to address the many challenges ahead.”
Press Release, April 25, 2014; Image: Liquid Robotics