Off-the-shelf underwater drones touted to revolutionise research
Scientists are exploring the Great Barrier Reef at depths of up to 150 metres, thanks to a new off-the-shelf remotely operated underwater drone. The Blueye Pioneer drone will "revolutionise the way we understand what happens beneath the waves", and provide access to deeper coral reefs, to see how they survived recent mass bleaching events, according to Dr Dean Miller, director of science and media at the Great Barrier Reef Legacy. The Pioneer drone is made to "withstand the forces of the ocean" and has two hours of battery life, said CEO of Blueye Robotics, Erik Dyrkoren.

"We have no idea what we might find," Dr Dean Miller, director of science and media at the Great Barrier Reef Legacy tells me.

"As scuba-divers we can get down to around 30 to 40 metres safely but with this ROV (remotely operated underwater vehicle) we are allowed to go to 150, so this really turns into exploration in its purist form."

Blueye's Pioneer drone is less expensive and more user friendly than previous gear. Credit: Blueye Robotics AS

Dr Miller is the first to use the brand new Blueye Pioneer underwater drone, embarking on a 21-day expedition to explore the Great Barrier Reef's most remote, unexplored reaches, and assess the region's declining coral reef corridor.

"I don't think there is anyone out there who didn't dream as a kid of being able to see what is down in the deeper regions of our oceans," Dr Miller enthuses.