ROBOTICS: IS THERE A BETTER WAY TO MINE THE DEEP SEAS?

摘要

Swarms of autonomous robots might eventually offer a less invasive method of collecting deep-sea metals. A few start-ups are raising the possibility of next-generation technology that avoids stirring sediment or crushing life on the ocean floor. Potential systems involve drones or remote-operated vehicles, propelled in some models by slowly undulating fins, that could hover over the seabed and avoid disturbing sediment. Yet-to-be-designed robotic claws could pluck nodules to place them in baskets ready to float to the surface, lifted by pockets of gas.