Autonomous Vehicle News
The U.S. Geological Survey is using autonomous surface and underwater vehicles on Lake Erie from mid-July through September 2023 to improve fishery surveys across the entire lake in cooperation with several public, private, and non-profit partners in both the U.S. and Canada. On July 14, a wind and solar-powered uncrewed surface vehicle called a Saildrone Explorer was launched on Lake Erie out of Erie, Pennsylvania. “This is the first time a long-range wind powered autonomous surface vehicle will be used on Lake Erie,” said Dr. Mark DuFour, USGS Fishery Biologist. “USGS is looking forward to working closely with Lake Erie partners on this mission to inform fishery management decisions. Notices regarding both autonomous vehicles have been provided to mariners via the U.S. Coast Guard.