Underwater robot tracks sperm whale conversations in real time
Scientists have used an autonomous underwater robot to track sperm whale conversations in real time, allowing for continuous observation of the whales' behavior and communication patterns. The robot uses four hydrophones to detect the whales' vocalizations and steer itself towards them.
An autonomous underwater robot has been used to track sperm whale conversations in real time. The robot, known as a glider, uses four hydrophones to detect the whales' vocalizations and steer itself towards them. Sperm whales use clicks to navigate and hunt, and produce patterned sequences of clicks, known as 'codas,' that are thought to play a role in communication. The glider can stay with a single whale for extended periods, potentially months, allowing scientists to observe patterns in how whales coordinate, socialize, and respond to their environment over time. This technology could help answer longstanding questions about how sperm whales communicate and inform more precise, evidence-based policy decisions to minimize disruption in sensitive areas. The system could reveal how whales react to human activity and track changes in their communication in the presence of human-made noise.
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