Meet Terranaut, the Amphibious Robot Capable of Identifying Lethal Underwater Hazards

Nautilus Robotics has teased its amphibious robot, the Terranaut, which could be helpful to the US military soon.

Terrranaut can help the US military identify and neutralize explosive hazards in shallow waters, which will help them keep its crew out of harm's way while still getting work done.

Currently, it is in the early stages in the form of a prototype for the US Department of Defense (DoD). It has recently been cleared for its initial phase, as reported by Interesting Engineering.

It was last year when the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) under the DoD seeked an unmanned amphibious system that could detect, localize, and neutralize explosive hazards in the water. The program is called Autonomous Amphibious Response Vehicle (A2RV), which invited private companies to submit their briefs for underwater, airborne, and surface solutions.

DIU chose Nautilus Robotics out of many companies, and it didn't disappoint, as Terranaut met all the special requirements for underwater military combat.

How It Works

Terranaut can work in beaches and surf zones, specifically where Marines are trained to fight. It can swim in the water and crawl on the sand. Additionally, it can navigate treads using its powerful thrusters, and its (soon-to-be) arms may be able to tackle attacks, such as disassembling an underwater mine.

It is based on an improved version of the existing Aquanaut product. It can work without tethers, so it doesn't require power cables or data lines to function. It is also environmentally friendly because it's fully electric and is of emissions.

The Terranaut system is valuable to the military's underwater combat capabilities. Its ability to operate in different environments and advanced technology make it a valuable asset for the Marine Corps.

The environmentally friendly aspect of the Terranaut system is particularly important given current concerns about climate change and ocean pollution. A fully electric system with no emissions reduces its impact on marine ecosystems while providing valuable data-collection capabilities.

South Korea and US Marines Hold Large-scale Amphibious Landing Exercise — POHANG, SOUTH KOREA - MARCH 29: South Korean and US marines participate a joint amphibious exercise called ‘Ssang Yong 2023 Exercise’ in Pohang, South Korea on March 29, 2023. South Korea and the United States are conducting a joint amphibious exercise called ‘Ssang Yong 2023 Exercise’ to strengthen the alliance’s combat readiness and improve interoperability, in Pohang, South Korea. by Woohae Cho/Getty Images

Furthermore, the ability to operate without tethers makes it easier to deploy and maneuver in difficult or remote locations. This opens up new possibilities for scientific research or disaster response efforts where traditional tethered systems may not be feasible.

The development of advanced underwater technologies like the Terranaut system highlights our continued push towards understanding and utilizing Earth's vast aquatic environments - both for military purposes and broader societal benefits such as preserving our planet's natural resources.

Advancements in Underwater Technology

The Terranaut system is a testament to the progress of underwater technology, which has come a long way since its inception. The Marine Corps' use of this advanced system demonstrates its commitment to staying ahead in terms of military capabilities and innovation.

The ability of the Terranaut system to operate without tethers also opens up new possibilities for scientific exploration in remote locations where traditional tethered systems may not be feasible. This means researchers can collect data on previously unknown species or environments that could lead us toward groundbreaking discoveries related to medicine or conservation efforts.