The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has developed an underwater robot that can effectively patrol and secure ports against ships trying to smuggle people and illegal goods past the U.S. border.

This drone glides past the hull of ships to detect any hidden compartments that could conceal contraband. This football shaped robot uses ultrasound to examine the ship's outer hull to detect differences in the composition of illegal goods.

Like Us on Facebook

These drones glide through the ships' outer perimeter using a propulsion method that makes it undetectable. Fleets of these inexpensive surveillance drones can hide amidst underwater plants and algae and when ships approach a port, these underwater security drones can surround them, making a quick inspection. 

According to Sampriti Bhattacharyya, co-designer of the robots and a graduate student of mechanical engineering from MIT, it's typically very expensive for regular robots to monitor all ships and boats entering a port.

She adds these drones cost around US$600 each and are very easy to mass produce. A 3D printer produces the major parts of the underwater robot, leading to cost effective production rates.

These drones are waterproof and pumps deal easily with any water infiltration. Exhaust valves are placed in specific angles to further maneuver the drone.

Gyroscopes and accelerometers are used to pinpoint the exact location and movement of the robots. These aquatic drones can operate for 40 minutes on one full charge.

TagsMIT Develops Underwater Robot to Detect Smuggled Contraband, MIT robots, MIT, Robots, drones, underwater robots drones, port security ships boats robots underwater, smuggled drugs contraband