Robots Take Over

Today, most deep-sea exploration uses unmanned vehicles. ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles) are tethered robots controlled from surface ships, carrying cameras, robotic arms, and sampling tools. The ROV Jason has explored hydrothermal vents, shipwrecks, and underwater volcanoes across every ocean.

AUVs (Autonomous Underwater Vehicles) operate without a tether, following pre-programmed routes. They map vast stretches of seafloor with sonar and return detailed 3D models. The AUV Sentry has surveyed areas no human could safely reach, working at depths beyond 6,000 meters for hours at a time.