Vietnamese people make their own unmanned mini-ships to survey the sea

The ship can measure data in the water area from 1 to 1,000 meters and automatically send data to the radio signal.

Stemming from difficulties in surveying and measuring data in the map industry when officials have to go directly to dangerous waters, the research team of the Institute of Geodesy and Cartography, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has designing and manufacturing self-propelled ships to replace human data .

The ship is designed to run automatically, without drivers. Ship hull made of composite plastic. In the hull, data logging software, online camera, satellite navigation device, antenna and an echo sounding device are attached. A small computer like a phone is also installed inside to store data and send it to the system via a radio signal.

Official of Institute of Geodesy and Map introduces survey ship "Made in Vietnam".(Photo: BN).

Mr. Luu Hai Au, Institute of Geodesy and Cartography, said that this device was manufactured by the research team in one year from the research project conducted by the Institute. All hardware to the software is actively done in the country.

Unlike ships measuring sea data, it is only possible to measure in deep water and on-board officers sometimes at risk from storms or security issues. This ship can measure 1,000 meters deep but can also run in shallow water due to very low water level without the driver. For coastal areas, rocky areas, human corals cannot reach, the ships still arrive and measure data.

The research team said that with the current design, the ship has a load of 60kg, has two batteries installed, so it can be measured in 8-10 hours.

According to Master Hai Au, there are many similar devices in the world. Initially, the Institute planned to design control systems and surveying software but did not sell ships to ship manufacturers. The reason is that the survey object of the map industry is always associated with the word 'honey' . So the research team looked for ways to design the domestic demand.

"This is a fabrication device to serve the research work so the form is not beautiful but there are more specialized features for the investigation and survey activities," said Hai Au MA and told the device. In waters with difficult security or pollution, people will not need to appear but only a drop ship will automatically run and send parameters home. The ship can also run underground to check and measure data to detect factories discharging waste water into the sea.

Currently, the ship has run tests on the fast flowing water in Lo and Da rivers for good results. The team said that when conditions permit, the ship will continue to improve to make it look better.