Remote-Controlled Robots Explore 'Lost City' 147
Roland Piquepaille writes "A large team of oceanographers is again exploring 'Lost City,' an hydrothermal vent field located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, which was discovered in 2000 and named like this because of the myth of Atlantis. But this time, the oceanographers are not on a ship. Most of them are in a room at the University of Washington in Seattle. And according to this article from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, they're using high-speed Internet connections to control robotic vehicles exploring the deep Atlantic Ocean thousands of miles away. Thanks to satellites, the remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) Argus and Hercules can transmit videos back to Seattle in real time. After analysis, the scientists can move the ROVs to specific areas of interest without having their feet wet. Read more for other details, references and pictures about this project."
Science, with clean hands (Score:2, Insightful)
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"This is how the science is going to be done," said Deborah Kelley, a University of Washington oceanographer.
I can't believe that a scientist would forego the adventure and excitement of actually visiting and investigating on-site the things she wants to learn about. Robots and video cameras and sensors have their place, especially in areas where it is still impossible to go. However, replacing the actual experience of seeing these things firsthand, trading that for lily-white labcoats and sterile research labs is the opposite direction scientists should be heading, in my opinion.
I, for one, would rather head down to the depths of the ocean or fly to the next planet personally than have some robot do that in my place, if I had the choice.
Re:Science, with clean hands (Score:3, Insightful)
It's the same for space travel. Just because it's romantic to have humans in space, doesn't mean it's a good idea to blow 90% of our space budget on LEO manned 'missions'.