Gliders Yoko and Tsuno

A glider is a torpedo-shaped, long-endurance autonomous vehicle that undulates through the water column along a pre-defined path. By changing its volume through expanding and shrinking a bladder, Glider Yoko* and Glider Tsuno (a SeaExplorer by Alseamar) change their buoyancy, thus inducing a vertical motion. Combined with the controlled movement of the internal battery and the fins in the back of the gliders, all this actuation allows controlling the speed and direction of the vertical and horizontal motions. 

As such, Glider Yoko and Glider Tsuno can follow a pre-determined track of waypoints along which they continuously move up and down the water column (up to a water depth of 1000 m), doing V-shaped movements. Every time the gliders reach the surface, they extend their antennas at the back and communicate with the shore control station via satellite for updated information and/or data offload to shore.

The low power consumption of the vehicles, coupled with the ability to pilot them from anywhere in the world (with an internet connection), makes Glider Yoko ideal for remote operations. Hence, these vehicles are often used in harsh polar environments or in the deep sea where they can operate for months on end. They are perfectly suited for observing large-scale oceanographic features in the water column. The low-logistics nature of the vehicles allows them to be deployed by a single technician from almost any size ship.

* Glider Yoko was donated to VLIZ by VUB in 2021. Subsequently, the Glider was completely refurbished with new sensors and a new battery pack.

Technical details

• Physical dimensions
  • Length: 2 m + 1 m foldable antenna
  • Diameter: 0.25 m
  • Weight: 60 kg
• Operational Parameters
  • Depth rating: 1000 m
  • Speed: 0.5 kn nominal
  • Endurance: Variable - up to 25 days depending on sensor configuration
  • Battery: Lithium-Ion rechargeable
  • Charging time: ~20 h
• Communication
  • Iridium
  • Radio
• Scientific payload
  • Oceanographic set-up:
    • Pressure sensor

    • CTD RBR Legato + Coda + Tridente

    • ECO Puck FLBBCD - EXP for turbidity and Chlorophyll-A

    • Dissolved oxygen sensor JFE Rinko AROD-FT

    • ADCP Nortek AD2CP

  • Trace metal set-up with collector cups (optional)

All of this robot's features can be found in the Glider Yoko specification sheet.