Autonomous Boat Prototype
We are attempting the first unmanned autonomous boat crossing of the Atlantic Ocean as a way to showcase technological innovation, promote environmental stewardship, and to involve schools to inspire future generations. In Summer 2018 we will launch the vessel from L’Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland where it will begin its 5,000 km voyage to Ireland. Along the way, the aquatic robot will record oceanographic and environmental data to better help us understand our oceans. This project will involve the public through an educational outreach program and several thousand students will be able to submit a picture or letter to be carried across the ocean and if successful, returned with an official stamp of success.
If successful we’ll receive a Guinness World record and will become the first autonomous boat to cross the Atlantic Ocean. So far there have been 27 attempts but all have failed. Technical malfunctions, storms, sharks, fishing gear entanglement and collisions are just a few of the problems these vessels encountered. Extensive analysis of previous challenges has allowed us to create an innovative boat designed to deal with these hurdles. Our experience crossing oceans by human power combined with our experience designing and creating boats for Angus Rowboats, gives us a unique insight into what is needed.