Seaglider finds commercial role.

• Author: Williams, Robert H.
• Position: TECH TALK - Brief article

* An Office of Naval Research inspired autonomous underwater vehicle--the Seaglider--may soon find itself in the commercial marketplace.

The Seaglider relies on a buoyancy based propulsion system that permits it to patrol the ocean depths for months at a time. It can travel at a half knot on a half a watt of power.

The underwater craft can go from the surface to a depth of 3300 feet and back every three to nine hours, says a spokesman, who adds that the Seaglider "remains at the surface long enough to transmit...