AUV URASHIMA
A Deep-Sea Explorer and the World's Largest AUV
URASHIMA is an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) developed as an experimental vehicle in 1998. It was reborn as a working model in 2009 after various tests and modifications. With a large payload bay, URASHIMA can mount large-sized research equipment. The AUV can self-navigate, following a pre-determined survey course pre-loaded into the on-board computer. URASHIMA can approach the seafloor closer than a surface research vessel, so it can acquire high-resolution bathymetric data and sub-bottom profiler data.
The maximum survey area for a single dive (for Side Scan Sonar only) is 37 km² (24-hour dive, speed 2.5 knots, line spacing 440 m).
Main equipment
Turning the Ocean Floor into Hi-Res Bathymetric Maps
URASHIMA uses high-frequency sound waves (400 kHz) close to the seafloor while exploring the seafloor bathymetry, whereas the mother ship explores from the sea surface.
Artwork of URASHIMA's multi-beam in action.
A bathymetric map produced by a surface vessel.
A bathymetric map of the same area surveyed by URASHIMA.
Large science payload compartment
URASHIMA’s survey instruments payload compartment is big enough to hold four adults. Large survey instruments such as water samplers, magnetometers, and gravimeters can be mounted.
Portable Gravimeter (orange capsule) (Earthquake Research Institute, The University of Tokyo) when mounted.