Wave-predicting underwater robots could cut green energy costs

Underwater robots capable of forecasting waves in real-time may lower the expenses associated with generating offshore renewable energy, according to a study. Engineers in Edinburgh have created innovative computational and experimental techniques that allow autonomous robots to hold a steady position despite chaotic, turbulent waves. The researchers tested their system in the FloWave testing tank at the university, using wave information obtained from a buoy in the North Sea to replicate the conditions the robots might encounter.