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Touching the Depths

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Touching the Depths

10.12.2015, by

Nicolas Baker [7]

When it comes to handling ancient pottery, nothing can replace a steady human hand. Or so archaeologists believed before they tested Corsaire 1 “Speedy.” The world's first submarine robot archaeologist explored the wreck of the Lune, a warship belonging to the fleet of Louis XIV, which sank off the coast of Toulon (southern France) in Novembre 1664.

Robot in a dark water. it is grasping an archaeological object in its claw which is illuminated by a headlamp

1

The three-fingered hand with “adaptive grasp” adjusts to the shape of the object it handles without breaking it.

Teddy Séguin/ Frédéric Osada/ DRASSM/ Images Explorations

An engineer manipulates a robotic hand.

2

To mimic the precise and gentle touch of human archaeologists, the robotic hand is equipped with pressure sensors.

Teddy Séguin/ Frédéric Osada/ DRASSM/ Images Explorations

An operator holding a joystick in front of three computer screens. He is piloting the robot.

3

Corsaire 1 “Speedy” is controlled from the vessel, using live feeds from the on-board cameras.

Teddy Séguin/ Frédéric Osada/ DRASSM/ Images Explorations

The robot is on the sea floor. In the foreground: a boat anchor. A cable is visible attached to the robot.

4

A tether cable links the vessel to the robot, to exchange data and supply power.

Teddy Séguin/ Frédéric Osada/ DRASSM/ Images Explorations

A robot arrives on a submarine shipwreck.

5

The robotic hand can be replaced by "claws," which resemble rakes that cross and overlap in order to collect objects that are difficult to handle.

Teddy Séguin/ Frédéric Osada/ DRASSM/ Images Explorations

A robot places an object in a case deep underwater.

6

The samples are carefully placed in a case that is sent directly to the surface— letting “Speedy” get back to work immediately.

Teddy Séguin/ Frédéric Osada/ DRASSM/ Images Explorations

Terracotta jars at the bottom the sea.

7

The Lune shipwreck lies 90 m deep in the bay of Toulon (southern France). The ship, which belonged to Louis XIV, sank in 1664, taking hundreds of lives and thousands of objects with it.

Teddy Séguin/ Frédéric Osada/ DRASSM/ Images Explorations

On the back deck of the boat, men are manipulating machines.

8

The Corsaire Concept Project involves archaeologists as well as 3D imaging and robotics experts.

Teddy Séguin/ Frédéric Osada/ DRASSM/ Images Explorations

A researcher cleans a jar brought back to the surface.

9

Back on board, the finds are immediately processed. Their long stay in salt water have made them extremely fragile.

Teddy Séguin/ Frédéric Osada/ DRASSM/ Images Explorations

Ceramic jar in varnished yellow and green.

10

Of the many items found is this green and yellow glazed bottle, from the workshops of the Huveaune valley

Teddy Séguin/ Frédéric Osada/ DRASSM/ Images Explorations

On the site of a shipwreck, a machine scans ancient pottery with a violet beam.

11

The team is also testing a 3D laser prototype that can scan objects under water.

Teddy Séguin/ Frédéric Osada/ DRASSM/ Images Explorations

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Keywords

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Source URL:https://news.cnrs.fr/slideshows/touching-depths

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