Wave Glider. Click to enlarge.

The Wave Glider system comprises a submerged glider and surface float joined by a 7-meter tether. By continuously harvesting energy from the environment, Wave Gliders can travel long distances, hold station, and monitor vast areas without ever needing to refuel. A unique two-part architecture and wing system directly converts wave motion into thrust, and solar panels provide electricity for sensor payloads. Wave Gliders can travel to a distant area, collect data, and return for maintenance without ever requiring a ship to leave port.

Initial customer deliveries of the Wave Glider unmanned maritime vehicle (UMV) took place in 2008. To date, Wave Gliders have logged more than 100,000 miles of operations.

Liquid Robotics will provide fleets of Wave Gliders together with relevant engineering, piloting and maintenance expertise, while Schlumberger brings upstream technology and market leadership. The joint venture will be the exclusive distributor of Wave Glider products and services to oil and gas customers worldwide.

Based in Silicon Valley and Hawaii, Liquid Robotics, Inc. is an ocean data services provider and developer of the Wave Glider, the first wave-powered marine robot, that functions as a persistent and versatile platform for scientific, industrial and defense applications.