Analysis of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). Technology Essay

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Analysis of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs)
Introduction
Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) are specially designed vehicles used in missions in deep waters without requiring any connection with an operator. AUVs play an important role in underwater missions aimed at scientific research or other functional services that make the oceans and seas safer for animals and human beings. Since they have no tether to a ship or vessel on the water's surface, AUV’s are programmed to perform their functions independently. Therefore, AUVs carry onboard storage to capture all the details, after which they can be retrieved for further analysis.
Benefits of development of AUVs for the ocean and environmental sciences
AUVs signal a significant leap in marine biology due to their technical capabilities that enable increased research capacity. Firstly, AUVs enable scientists to study marine ecology and life, especially in previously unchartered waters. With a significant amount of the oceans undiscovered by man, plant and animal species living in deep waters where divers cannot reach can be studied using AUVs (Wynn et al.). Such studies assist in managing resources such as fish and other marine life that provide a source of food for humans. By analyzing the effects of human activity on such animals, better management and regulation policies can be implemented to ensure the oceans remain viable food sources in the long run.
Apart from that, AUVs also help in studying terrestrial plates and volcanoes found on ocean floors. Plate boundaries that form the critical base of the earth's landmasses can be studied to predict any impending natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis that may emanate from such locations (Huvenne et al.). This enables adequate measures to be put in place to prevent mass casualties in case of their occurrence since it allows preventive actions to be taken.
AUVs further help human beings operate in extremely dangerous depths where pressures could be dangerous for divers to operate. Activities involving oil exploration and pumping sites that may require minor interventions to repair and monitor any problems may use AUVs that require remote operators to perform such functions (Huvenne et al.). The dangers involving the high-pressure pipes and water pressure at extremely low depths require AUV interventions that can safely deploy without putting human beings' lives at risk.
Control Mechanisms of AUVs
The nature of oceans makes it difficult for AUVs to operate everywhere, especially since they are controlled remotely or through preprogrammed routes. Factors such as strong currents may affect the movements of the AUV, thus affecting data quality. While the surfaces of the AUV include thrusters and other control surfaces to aid in steering, external pressure may force them off their preplanned paths due to inadequate force by the thrusters to counteract such external pressure. Consequently, AUVs' navigation requires proper planning to ensure that they can navigate the water successfully to achieve its missions. Performance and stability ensure that an AUV can be deployed for extended periods, thus ensuring their dependability under any circumstances underw...