{"id":22722,"date":"2014-08-01T07:50:25","date_gmt":"2014-08-01T11:50:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.solidworks.com\/solidworksblog\/?p=22722"},"modified":"2014-08-01T07:50:25","modified_gmt":"2014-08-01T11:50:25","slug":"drones-not-just-for-the-sky-anymore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.solidworks.com\/solidworksblog\/2014\/08\/drones-not-just-for-the-sky-anymore.html","title":{"rendered":"Drones: Not Just for the Sky Anymore"},"content":{"rendered":"

Everyone is talking about drones. Privacy advocates are concerned that drones will become an extension of \u201cBig Brother.\u201d Governments are reviewing drone legislation. Amazon, most famously, is looking into drones for deliveries. Others, including Dassault Syst\u00e8mes, are using tools, such as SOLIDWORKS Mechanical Conceptual<\/strong><\/a>, to create drones capable of dropping aid in disaster zones. There\u2019s no question that drones will play a role in humanity\u2019s future, but we\u2019re only beginning their chapter in the story.<\/p>\n

Our focus on the skies is evidence that we\u2019re only in the early stages of how drones and robotics will contribute to the world. When someone says, \u201cdrone\u201d you instantly think, \u201cflying.\u201d However, there are interesting developments in undersea robotics and unmanned craft that are potentially more influential than their cousins in the sky. Why? We\u2019re comfortable with the sky. Flying is familiar compared to the ocean where countless mysteries and breakthroughs are waiting to be discovered.<\/p>\n

\"aux-thruster\"<\/a><\/p>\n

A tentacled, flexible breakthrough<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Scientists at Italy\u2019s Research Center on Sea Technologies and Marine Robotics are combining the powers of 3D printing, biomimicry and soft robotics to create an underwater breakthrough: the PoseiDrone robotic octopus. Their goal is to completely replicate a cephalopod found in nature, only the PoseiDrone will repair damaged ships, turbines and generators. The robot will be capable of venturing in areas too dangerous for humans to tread \u2013 effectively going where no man has gone before. Poseidon would approve.<\/p>\n

\"2<\/a><\/p>\n

The undersea drones revealing the ocean’s secrets<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

To date, humanity has explored approximately 5 percent of the world\u2019s oceans. The Wave Glider ocean drone is looking to help us make up for lost time. Most recently, the Wave Glider compiled data in the heart of Typhoon Rammasun as the storm made its way through the South China Sea. The drone\u2019s creators have analyzed that data for a clearer understanding of how storms form and behave as they move across the ocean. This will help develop better early warning systems to detect and predict movements of future hurricanes. The Wave Glider is also being used to monitor environmental change, discover potential medicines and protect against mines.<\/p>\n