Underwater Robot To Visit The Pole

[astral]

Thai scientist taking underwater robot to Pole

After four months of trials and testing, the world's first underwater robot named ThaiXPole is ready to accompany chosen Thai scientist, Voranop Viyakarn, in a Japanese expedition to take on Antarctica.

``Mr Voranop will be the country's first citizen to set foot on the South Pole and what other way to mark the occasion than to build a unique swimming robot,'' said Itti Rittaporn, director of the National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre.

The Thai Robotics Society (TRS) and the National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre (Nectec) in cooperation with Mahidol University built the B2 million ThaiXPole, nicknamed Ru tan Antarctica or ``all to know about Antarctica'' by Mr Itti.

``The autonomous underwater vehicle is capable of swimming as deep as 50 metres and is equipped with highly sensitive sensors, can take precise measurements and readings of temperature, salt residue and pH and oxygen levels,'' said Ittichote Chuckpaiwong, of Mahidol University's faculty of engineering.

``But what sets the homemade robot apart from all others is its ability to withstand temperatures of up to - 40 degrees Celsius, something that has never been achieved before,'' he said.

The Japan National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR) is a 31-year-old organisation dedicated to the exploration and recuperation of the continent of Antarctica. The data collected from each expedition is analysed for any changes that might cause environmental meltdown in the long run. Mr Voranop was chosen as the sole Thai representative to take part in this year's party to the South Pole, which starts in December and lasts until February.

Bangkok Post

23rd Sept 2004

Edited September 23, 2004 by astral

[astral]

When I first learned geography in school, some 40 years ago, I was taught that the North Polar ice cap was situated over water and the South Polar cap is over a continental land mass. Nothing that has come out from international research in these two areas, since then, has controverted that teaching.

Therefore, when I read this report about “Thai Scientists taking underwater robot to Pole”, I automatically assumed that it would be the North Pole.

I see that the Mahidol University project is named “Ru Tan Antarctica”, To know all about Antarctica”.

Clearly they have a lot to learn!!!!!

[kwiz117]

When I first learned geography in school, some 40 years ago, I was taught that the North Polar ice cap was situated over water and the South Polar cap is over a continental land mass. Nothing that has come out from international research in these two areas, since then, has controverted that teaching.

Therefore, when I read this report about “Thai Scientists taking underwater robot to Pole”, I automatically assumed that it would be the North Pole.

I see that the Mahidol University project is named “Ru Tan Antarctica”, To know all about Antarctica”.

Clearly they have a lot to learn!!!!!

Don't question everything Thai's do..? It's a great thing for this country and specially the people involved.

That's what it is called an experiment. It can be a success like Apollo going to moon or a flop like Beagle or many many other experiments.

[SoCal]

Astral, admittedly don't know much about the subject, but imagine there is more ice with underlying water, than land alone.

Also, doesn't appear to be so much for exploration, as taking some tests very deep in very cold water.

Still holding to my premise- what do I know?

[astral]

It is not normal to experiment on things that are already clearly defined.

Experiments should allow us to explore the Unknown, advancing science.

Especially at 2 milion baht a pop.

[SoCal]

Astral, do you know what the temperature, salt residue, pH and oxygen levels are at 50m bellow sea level at the Antartica?

I don't, and I don't care, but apparently the Thai's do.

Listen, they couldn't make it to the moon, much less Saturn. Give them their props.

[astral]

But the whole premis is flawed.

According to survey's done in the 60's by the International expeditions there is ROCK under the South Pole, not water.

What a waste of 2 million baht, which could be helping the poor or AIDS sufferers. Better to give the money to HM the King or the Queen for their projects to aid the needy.

[Pudgimelon]

Yes, the South Pole is located over land, and I'm pretty sure anybody taking a robot down there would know that already.

But in case you flunked geography, here's a little clue for you: Antarctica is surrounded by WATER.

Duh.

Geesh, it's pretty obvious from the article that the scientist is going on an expedition TO the South Pole, and that the robot will probably be used at some point during the JOURNEY to the Pole.

Most likely they will be testing the rate of decay of the ice shelf that covers most of Antartica's bays and gulfs. Global warming has been eating away at the ice shelf for years now, and it's pretty obvious that if the robot is equipped with SALINITY sensors, then it is going to be testing the amount of fresh water (from melting ice) in the sea water under the ice shelf.

After that, the scientist will probably continue to the Pole to compile the data and work with other scientists on related projects. After all, if you want to collaborate with other Antarctic specialists, then the Pole would be a good place to set up shop.

For someone who is making a backhanded slight against Thai intelligence, you certainly aren't using much common sense yourself. Sure, I'll agree that the average tuk-tuk driver is about as smart as a sack of rocks, but there is a HUGE difference between those guys and a highly educated roboticist. I'm pretty sure this scientist knows more about the South Pole than you do.

[astral]

"Mr Voranop will be the country's first citizen to set foot on the South Pole and what other way to mark the occasion than to build a unique swimming robot,'' said Itti Rittaporn, director of the National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre.

As the first President Bush said, "Read my lips".

[Pudgimelon]

"Mr Voranop will be the country's first citizen to set foot on the South Pole and what other way to mark the occasion than to build a unique swimming robot,'' said Itti Rittaporn, director of the National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre.

As the first President Bush said, "Read my lips".

Well, seeing as how he'll have to cross over WATER to get to Antarctica, I don't see why you find this statement so contradictory.

A swimming robot sounds like an ideal tool to the TYPE of research they are doing at the Pole (global warming/ozone depletion, etc...). Just because the research is BASED at the Pole, doesn't mean they can't fly up to the ice shelf to have the robot take a swim.

Given the instability of the ice shelf in recent years, that would be a pretty stupid place to set up a research station. So the scientists would have to LIVE on land, but that doesn't mean all their research has to be solely about LAND. I'm pretty sure they are interested in the oceans around (and under) Antartica's ice shelves.

I'm sure you think you're pretty clever and that your 40-year-out-of-date geography education somehow makes you an expert on current Antarctic research, but I'm pretty sure a highly educated scientist knows a bit more than you about that part of the world. So if he's bringing a swimming robot to the Pole, it's almost certainly going to be used ON THE COAST to gather data that they can then compile back home at the research station AT THE POLE.

You're a clever guy, you should be able to figure that out on your own.

[konangrit]

There are also lakes located beneath the Antartic ice shelf, the most well known being Lake Vostok. When the Russians finally finish boring through the ice they will require some kind of AUV to explore the lake, so taking an underwater robot to the middle of the Antartic ice sheld may not seem as daft as it sounds, although unlikely that is the intended use for this one.

[medicinebox]

The north pole is warmer than the south pole.

Fuk all can live in the south pole, its too extreme, and higher in altitude. although on the edges of the south pole you do get a few penguins and seals, sea birds.

A polar bear never ate a penguin ever.

However, there is a wingless midge that can survive within a few hundred miles of the south pole. Apart from that there is some moss and algie.

And you think your life is sometimes pointless.

<deleted> is the purpose of moss in the south pole??? <deleted> is the purpose of moss anyway. The most pointless thing in the most pointless place.

I could offer a simile about falangs in Thailand, but I'll end up getting hosed down with boiled dihorreah...

[Ijustwannateach]

All good points medicinebox- but let's appreciate mosses (and the algae with which they become lichens!) These basic forms of clinging plant matter can thrive in harsh conditions and live on rock- breaking it up gradually into the soil without which our bigger plants couldn't grow!

"Steven"

[Darth Bangkok]

"Mr Voranop will be the country's first citizen to set foot on the South Pole and what other way to mark the occasion than to build a unique swimming robot,'' said Itti Rittaporn, director of the National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre.

As the first President Bush said, "Read my lips".

ok. I'll admit it. as I was reading that sentence for the first time in the paper the other day, I thought to myself "wow! they should build a unique swimming robot to commemorate the first Thai stepping foot on the south pole" Boy was I happy I'm not the only spaced out.

I would think that they got invited or allowed to go BECAUSE they had robot and were going to contribute to science, and not the other way around as is insinuated by Mr. Itti Rittaporn. For that is what they do in antartica, right? otherwise the Thai guy could have just booked cruise there (I also am doubtful that he is the first thai to go to antartica- how do we know some hi-so hasn't gone there already) But are we talking about the South Pole, or Antartica? who knows, because reading an ENglish language newspaper in Thailand is just asking for trouble. You will only be confused when you put it down.

But did anyone see the ###### thing in the papers yesterday? Its made from coffee cans!!! It wont' make it out of the plane that it takes to get there.

this whole thing is probably just that the scientific community just wants to add the flag of another country onto is base down there and they can then brag more about how the whole world is joining in to comtribute to science for the benefit of all mankind.

but what they'll find out is that the thai guy will go down there, steal their ideas, come back to thailand and screw it all up!

[wolf5370]

OK a few things. Firstly the South Pole isn't A land mass, it is at least 3 Islands (NASA photographed this from space in the 70's I believe using Infrared and could see the land masses beneath).

Early maps also show 3 Islands - although there is some interesting discussion how these maps come into existance. The ice on the South Pole as been at least 1KM thick for at least 12,000 years - before history says civilisation existed, so how did they map it. The maps are quite accurate when overlayed on NASA's.

The Ross Ice Shelf also overhangs the landmass quite considerable (by many miles infact). The ice itself is sits on top of the land mass, and is wider than the landmass all round. So it is certainly possible to go under the ice part of the South pole.

The South Pole is the only large land mass not owned by any nation (although many claim it), so scientific research is allowed without much in the way of obsticles. There has been much specualtion as to using the South Pole as a refinery to reclaim precious (and heavy) metals and other elements from the sea.

Also, as said below, there is algie - this is important as Blue-Green algie was responsible for creating our atmosphere (oxygen content) and made itself extinct by pushing the oxygen level up and cooling the atmosphere. Algie are a good indication of glabal warming therefore. As it is the farest point from the ozone hole, it is a good place to look for 'global' effects of Global Warming etc...

I think its a good idea and hope it does well.

[350torana]

Notice your letter appearing in the Bkk Post today , Astral