Incredible unmanned Wave Gliders set out on record-breaking journey across the Pacific Ocean
They might not look capable of taking on some of the ocean's most challenging environments.
But that is exactly what these incredible autonomous wave gliders will do during a record-breaking journey across the Pacific.
The unmanned vehicles will travel about 37,000 miles of open ocean during the journey and will collect and stream data to Google Earths Ocean Showcase.
Voyage of discovery: The unmanned wave gliders will travel about 37,000 miles of open ocean in order to collect and stream data
If successful, they will have earned a Guinness World Record for the longest voyage completed by an unmanned ocean vessel.
The impressive mini fleet was built by Liquid Robotics, who say the technology can increase our knowledge of the sea.
During their journey, which is expected to take more than 300 days, they will transmit ocean data on salinity, water temperature, waves, weather and dissolved oxygen.
Impressive: The gliders are made up of a floating platform which is attached to a winged platform submerged underneath the water
The gliders left San Francisco on Thursday and will travel together to Hawaii.
Once at the glamorous location, they will pair off with one set going to Australia and the other to Japan.
Out of water: The solar cells of the wave glider can be seen in this picture
They are made up of a floating platform attached to a winged platform which is submerged underneath the water.
The surface is covered in solar cells which power the glider.
They use the motion of the waves to drive the underwater fins and a GPS link provides navigation.
Basic readings of the data which is transmitted back to Ocean Showcase will be available to the public.
Researchers will also be able to study the information collected.
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