Testing MBARI tech beneath the Arctic ice 🧊🤖
Engineers from MBARI’s CoMPAS Lab recently returned from an expedition to the Arctic, where they deployed the MOLA AUV under the ice for the first time, marking a major milestone in the development of this nimble technology platform.
Working with collaborators from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management, and Michigan Technological University, CoMPAS Lab engineers operated the MOLA vehicle beneath about two meters (nearly seven feet) of sea ice in shallow, confined conditions.
Across multiple dives, the vehicle demonstrated reliable navigation and high-resolution mapping with onboard imaging and sonar, highlighting the maturity and potential of compact, easy-to-deploy platforms for under-ice operations.
Funded by the North Pacific Research Board, this expedition reinforces the value of applying advanced robotics to impactful science and underscores the utility of MOLA vehicles for conducting research in extreme environments.
You can read the full story on our website.
