Silicon Valley start-up, Saildrone, has sent five robotic boats into the hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean. The vessels are created to function against hurricane winds and waves. Saildrone has partnered with several institutions such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), NASA, US Coast Guard, Department of Defense and universities to study storm intensity. NOAA Director of Engineering Chris Meinig said that it is safer to send robotic boats than crewed ships or planes into a hurricane. Saildrone’s vessel is 23 feet long and equipped with four cameras, which can analyse wind energy and the temperature of the ocean and air.
Source: CNN