[Hartley18]

It seems like someone with too much money has decided to outfit something with a Tillerpilot and a laptop and see if it makes it to America. Another terrierist plot perhaps?? I wonder if it'll be met by the USCG but they won't be able to turn it back!!..

"London, May 11 (ANI): An unmanned automated boat, known as ” Pinta the robot”, is undergoing final preparations before setting sail in the hope of becoming the first robot to cross an ocean, namely the Atlantic, using the power of wind.

According to a report in The Times, Pinta has been designed by scientists at Aberystwyth University in UK , and will join seven other robotic craft in October in a race across the Atlantic .

The race is intended to test the endurance and reliability of robots away from battery chargers and the predictable environment of a laboratory.

The race across the Atlantic , which starts in October, pits Pinta against seven other robot craft from six countries.

By sailing non-stop and unassisted for an estimated three months, it will prove the potential for robotic craft to undertake vital research in roles in dangerous and far-off waters.

The boat is a smaller, cheaper version of a more elaborate robot sailing boat, Beagle B, and is being used to prove that the onboard technology works.

The boat uses solar panels to provide the power to operate a robot arm on the tiller and a pulley system to change the angle of the sail. Solar panels would provide too little power to run an engine and batteries would run out in days or hours. "

» Automated boat may become first robot to cross an ocean using wind power - Thaindian News

"Pinta the Robot"??

I'm glad Simon is in the Pacific..