Scientists at the UAE's Khalifa University and Stanford University in the US have teamed up to develop robots that will take on critical tasks, to help keep the world's oceans clean.
The robot divers will be able to monitor the health of coral reefs and perform safety checks on offshore oil rigs.
They are being put through a series of simulations in a robotics pool opened at the university in Abu Dhabi, which replicates ocean waves, currents and harsh conditions in the deep sea.
When the robot reaches the sea bed, the operator is able to feel through the hands of the robot what the robot is touching
Professor Oussama Khatib,
director of the Stanford Robotics Lab
The aim is for robots and robotic submarines to be built in Abu Dhabi and sent to ocean depths that are dangerous for humans to explore.
“We are collaborating with Khalifa University to take robotics forward for the exploration of the underwater,” Prof Oussama Khatib, director of the Stanford Robotics Lab and a pioneer in the field, told The National.
Prof Khatib built the Ocean One robot more than seven years ago, and it has since explored underwater wrecks and archaeological sites at depths close to 1,000 metres in the Mediterranean Sea.
The five-metres-long robot was brought to the Middle East for the first time to test the Khalifa University pool.
Controlled by a team on the ground, the orange and yellow robot scooped plastic bottles from mock coral reefs placed inside the pool during recent trials.
Human-like robots
The Ocean One robot is different from most remotely operated vehicles used in deep sea exploration that have cameras to capture visuals but are not dexterous enough to safely move objects underwater.
The mechanical fingers of the humanoid robot replicate human movements, allowing it to work and communicate with teams of divers.
In tribute to the UAE's tradition of pearl diving, the Ocean One robot carefully scooped up an oyster, placed it in a basket and brought it to the surface.
Each robot hand is fitted with sensors that send information to the pilot controlling it on the surface and it also transmits the sensation of touch.
“Our robot is unique right now and we hope to have a few more versions of it in the future,” Prof Khatib said.
“When the robot reaches the sea bed, the operator sitting on the boat or anywhere in the world is able to feel, through the hands of the robot, what the robot is touching, and see through its eyes what the robot is seeing.”
Ocean One was joined in the new pool by underwater robots built by Khalifa University researchers.
Frontier technology
Researchers in Abu Dhabi are working to further develop these machines to add advanced capabilities and attach humanoid arms that can mimic human functions.
Prof Lakmal Seneviratne, director of the Khalifa University Centre for Autonomous Robotic Systems, said scientists and students will work on testing both surface and underwater robots in the Gulf region.
“There is a huge interest in marine robotics in the UAE because we are a country surrounded by water,” he said.
“With pioneers like Prof Oussama, we will work jointly at slowly increasing the autonomy of these robots in the future.
“Marine robotics is the new frontier, and we are excited to be at the forefront.”
The robots developed at Khalifa University can currently function at a depth of 300m and researchers will work on adding capabilities so they can tackle deep-sea tasks to keep human divers out of harm.
“If a human diver goes out to sea with a robot he can do more so divers and robots can work together,” Prof Seneviratne said.
“This is still at a very early stage at the university with a human being now controlling the robot."
The collaboration, he said, will help to develop more autonomous robots.
"These are very exciting possibilities in marine robotics," he said.
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe
Price, base: Dh201,153
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 204hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 300Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
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Take Me Apart
Kelela
(Warp)
Honeymoonish
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Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Breaking News: The Remaking of Journalism and Why It Matters Now
Alan Rushbridger, Canongate
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Company%C2%A0profile
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Black Panther
Dir: Ryan Coogler
Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o
Five stars
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
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MOST%20POLLUTED%20COUNTRIES%20IN%20THE%20WORLD
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The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima
Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650
Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder
Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km
How to help
Donate towards food and a flight by transferring money to this registered charity's account.
Account name: Dar Al Ber Society
Account Number: 11 530 734
IBAN: AE 9805 000 000 000 11 530 734
Bank Name: Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
To ensure that your contribution reaches these people, please send the copy of deposit/transfer receipt to: juhi.khan@daralber.ae
