A deep dive into the tech transforming ocean exploration — and maybe the rest of the world

It’s often said that we know more about the surface of Mars than we do about the depths of our own oceans. This, however, isn’t due to a lack of interest, but rather to the formidable challenges posed by the ocean’s extreme conditions, such as immense pressures, frigid temperatures and mostly the complete darkness of the depths.

But recent technological advancements in unmanned exploration are enabling scientists to explore these uncharted territories, potentially with positive impacts on the life above water, such as improving current climate models, enhancing sustainable fishing practices and discovering biomedical resources from deep-sea organisms.

Breaking the surface in deep-sea exploration

The advances in autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) have fundamentally changed ocean exploration. These robotic submarines can operate independently, navigating the ocean’s depths without any crew on board. For example, in 2020, the Vityaz-D, a Russian AUV, spent three hours exploring the Mariana Trench, the deepest oceanic trench on Earth, reaching a depth of 10,028 meters — deeper than Mount Everest is tall.

Similarly, the U.S. Navy’s Manta Ray, a long-duration drone, represents a big leap in unmanned underwater technology. This vehicle can operate autonomously for long periods of time and can even hibernate on the sea floor to lower fuel consumption.

Sound waves and laser beams: Communication just got deeper

One of the greatest hurdles in deep-sea exploration has been the difficulty of transmitting data in real time. Unlike on land or in space, radio waves cannot travel through the ocean, as water absorbs and scatters these signals, severely limiting their range and effectiveness.

Recent breakthroughs in underwater communication are starting to address these challenges. For example, blue and green lasers have been used for speeding optical communication, allowing for high-speed data transfer over short distances, increasing data transmission rates up by 1,000 times compared to traditional methods. When paired with acoustic systems, these lasers enable a more efficient communication between underwater vehicles and surface stations.

In addition, there have been advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning improving the data compression and error-correction techniques, making it possible to transmit complex information through previously difficult and impractical distances. These technologies have accelerated data sharing and enhanced the success of underwater missions, ensuring critical information reaches scientists without a significant delay or loss.

The ocean: Now streaming in high definition

Advancements in communication have also enhanced our ability to experience the deep sea in real time. For example, NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer, a U.S. Navy ship turned exploratory vessel, is equipped with high-definition cameras and satellite communication systems that enable live streaming of their missions.

Similarly, the Ocean Observatories Initiative offers a live video feed directly from the Axial Seamount, an active underwater volcano 250 miles from the Oregon coast. These high-definition video streams are available every three hours, allowing anyone in the world to observe the volcano’s activity and the surrounding marine life. You can watch it from here.

In January, the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos hosted a livestream from a submersible 350 meters beneath the ocean surface near the outer islands of the Seychelles, giving world leaders a glimpse into the depths. This impressive feat demonstrated how far we’ve come in deep-sea exploration, enabling real-time communication and engagement that was once considered near impossible just a decade ago.

The challenges posed by the ocean’s violent and mysterious nature have inspired innovative solutions that are revolutionizing our understanding of our ocean. By continuously overcoming these natural limitations, humanity is steadily bridging the gap between the ocean’s depths and the surface, paving an underwater way for significant advancements in marine research and exploration.