Development of two-type AUVs for deep-sea carbon dioxide observations and hydrothermal plume exploration

JAMSTEC has been developing two-type autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs): a cruising AUV and a working AUV, since last October. These vehicles will perform carbon dioxide (CO
₂
) observations and hydrothermal plume exploration up to depth of 3,000 meters. The cruising AUV (about 4 m long, 2 tons in weight) is equipped with three major observation devices: a multi-beam echo sounder, side-scan sonar, and a CO
₂
-pH hybrid sensor. The working AUV (about 1.3m long, 0.5 tons in weight) has a stereo-vision camera which takes pictures of sea-floor including plumes, and a CO
₂
sensor. This AUV can closely approach to or land on sea-floor. It can hover for taking pictures. These AUVs will be linked with a support ship via an acoustic modem newly developed. The vehicles' assembly will be completed in February 2012. In March 2012 the vehicles will make the first dive in the Kita-Bayonnaise Submarine Caldera, Izu-Ogasawara Arc.