Saildrone makes history

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by baywatcher, Nov 5, 2013.

  1. baywatcher
    Joined: Nov 2013
    Posts: 13
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: -3
    Location: Milan

    baywatcher Junior Member

    Saildrone, a fully autonomous sail boat, arrived in Hawaii last night from San Francisco. This makes it the first drone to sail across an ocean and breaks all autonomous sailing records.
    Quite a feat.
    www.saildrone.com
     
  2. SamSam
    Joined: Feb 2005
    Posts: 3,899
    Likes: 200, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 971
    Location: Coastal Georgia

    SamSam Senior Member

    Does it know anything about right-of-way?
     
  3. michael pierzga
    Joined: Dec 2008
    Posts: 4,862
    Likes: 116, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 1180
    Location: spain

    michael pierzga Senior Member

    Thats the problem. A ship will just crunch it up.
    If it collides with a small craft it will be a disaster

    At present the sea is full of autonomous vehicles

    http://[​IMG] imagen jpg
     
  4. baywatcher
    Joined: Nov 2013
    Posts: 13
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: -3
    Location: Milan

    baywatcher Junior Member

    Clueless

    A drifting array is not an intelligent drone!
    Not even close.
    Saildrone would loose if hit by anything large but it has AIS and collision avoidance systems.
    It tacks, jibes and sails it doesn't float around waiting to be run over!
    So while the sea has a lot of "drifters" out there other than Liquid Robotics which is a wave glider and very slow there are no intelligent sailing drones out there.
     
  5. michael pierzga
    Joined: Dec 2008
    Posts: 4,862
    Likes: 116, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 1180
    Location: spain

    michael pierzga Senior Member

    Hmmm..

    Intelligent drone.

    Run that by me again
     
  6. baywatcher
    Joined: Nov 2013
    Posts: 13
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: -3
    Location: Milan

    baywatcher Junior Member

    Are you serious?

    I wouldn't waste my time trying to explain a complex piece of scientific equipment to someone who thinks a drifter is an autonomous vehicle!
    Saildrone is designed to deploy things like global drifters.
    You can go on NOAA's website and learn about global drifters, interesting stuff but not autonomous vehicles.
     
  7. kerosene
    Joined: Jul 2006
    Posts: 1,279
    Likes: 199, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 358
    Location: finland

    kerosene Senior Member

    Very cool. I have spent some time daydreaming about a solar only autonomous drone that could travel the world for me and send an occasional photo.
    Are you involved with the project?
    I am impressed by the speed and the fact that itvhas survived. How is it designed to take a massive breaking wave? The rigid sail looks so vulnerable.
     
  8. michael pierzga
    Joined: Dec 2008
    Posts: 4,862
    Likes: 116, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 1180
    Location: spain

    michael pierzga Senior Member

    Gee, no need to waste your time .......simply tell me how this drone will satisfy the rule....shall maintain a sharp-lookout at all times.
     
  9. lohring
    Joined: Nov 2006
    Posts: 57
    Likes: 3, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 32
    Location: Eugene, OR

    lohring Junior Member

    How about something like this in a lot lower density and more intelligent traffic at sea?
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXylqtEQ0tk

    Lohring Miller
     
  10. michael pierzga
    Joined: Dec 2008
    Posts: 4,862
    Likes: 116, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 1180
    Location: spain

    michael pierzga Senior Member

    A drone automobile makes sense because it travels a known route ...the autoroute via a roadmap.....like a train. This route could be equipped with sensors to help the drone automobile navigate.

    A seagoing drone could never travel on a known, preprogramed route .
     
  11. NoEyeDeer
    Joined: Jun 2010
    Posts: 983
    Likes: 32, Points: 28, Legacy Rep: 300
    Location: Australia

    NoEyeDeer Senior Member

    Actually it could, in theory anyway.
     
  12. michael pierzga
    Joined: Dec 2008
    Posts: 4,862
    Likes: 116, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 1180
    Location: spain

    michael pierzga Senior Member

  13. NoEyeDeer
    Joined: Jun 2010
    Posts: 983
    Likes: 32, Points: 28, Legacy Rep: 300
    Location: Australia

    NoEyeDeer Senior Member

    Just needs reference points to navigate by. Assuming wind and current don't overpower it, it should work.
     
  14. michael pierzga
    Joined: Dec 2008
    Posts: 4,862
    Likes: 116, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 1180
    Location: spain

    michael pierzga Senior Member

    If your destination is south and the wind becomes south your course needs to be adjusted 45 degrees.

    It a high pressure cell is building on your course you will be becalmed for days sailing in circles.
    The scenarios are many
     

  15. NoEyeDeer
    Joined: Jun 2010
    Posts: 983
    Likes: 32, Points: 28, Legacy Rep: 300
    Location: Australia

    NoEyeDeer Senior Member

    Sure, but it can work. This thing wouldn't have reached Hawaii otherwise. Unexpected things can happen on the road too. I can't see that a drone automobile is intrinsically safer than a sailing drone. In fact, I'd say the higher speeds and higher mass involved make it more dangerous.
     
Loading...
Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
When making potentially dangerous or financial decisions, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.