In this video, Del Mar Oceanographic, in partnership with Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, conducts the first sea trial of Livewire, a new motor-generator system integrated with the Wirewalker™ profiling system.
Livewire is capable of full-ocean-depth operation and generates electricity onboard to power low-consumption instruments.
During the trial, the vehicle profiled to 25 meters, collecting temperature, salinity, and other oceanographic data every 10–15 minutes. Livewire achieved an average of 3 watts of power generation, with peaks up to 6 watts depending on wave conditions, covering most of the Wirewalker’s energy needs even in this early prototype stage.
This technology demonstrates autonomous, energy-efficient ocean monitoring, supporting extended missions and advancing oceanographic research.
