Jaia robotics' low-cost, micro-sized hybrid uncrewed surface/underwater vehicles called jaiabotstm can be deployed from the shore or vessels

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded a $349,896 Project Grant to Jaia Robotics Inc. under the NOAA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program (CFDA 11.021) on Sep 1, 2023. The grant funds the development of an air-deployable version of Jaia Robotics' JaiaBot hybrid uncrewed surface/underwater vehicle. The JaiaBot system is designed to collect atmospheric data during descent and then gather near-surface and subsurface ocean data, including current vectors, wave heights, temperature, and salinity. This capability will enable researchers to visualize the spatial variability of ocean features and energy transfer processes, with potential applications in hurricane forecasting. The project aims to create a cost-effective, scalable solution for wide-area synoptic data collection in challenging marine environments.

The system enables truly affordable multivehicle operations that can be scaled to provide wide area synoptic data collection. In the proposed effort the project team will develop a jaiabot which is air-deployable from sonobuoy launch tubes to collect atmospheric data from the launch point to the sea surface collecting wind speed, humidity, and temperature data, and then collect near-surface ocean data including surface current vectors, wave heights, temperature, and salinity. The jaiabots are able to conduct multiple profile dives to collect subsurface temperature and salinity data to depths of up to 100M. Deploying multiple jaiabots to form a picket line along the forecasted hurricane track at the tropical storm boundary will provide researchers with the data needed to visualize the spatial variability of ocean features and energy transf