NEW DELHI, Nov. 16 (Xinhuanet) -- The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and Central Marine Engineering Research Institute (CMERI) are building an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) to collect oceanographic data with the aid of sensors to provide new insight into the world beneath the waves.

    Scheduled for commissioning off the waters of Chennai in 2006, the 400 kg unmanned AUV would collect data on bathymetry or measurement of depth, temperature and salinity besides video mapping marine plant and animal life in the Bay of Bengal, according to the Press Trust of India on Sunday.

    "For the first time, India will be able to generate and maintain its own exhaustive marine data in line with similar projects being considered by countries like the United States, Britain, Russia and Japan," Professor of IIT's Ocean Engineering and Naval Architecture department L. R. Raheja said.

    The robot modelled in the shape of a fish for better underwater navigation, could also be used for other purposes by attaching robotic arms, he said.

    CMERI Director Gopal Sinha said the AUV would store data from sensors in computers onboard.

    "With the help of onboard intelligence it will take its own decision to navigate through a specific path during the entire mission life," Sinha said.

    Nearly four metres long and 0.4 metre in diameter, the AUV has a speed of two to four knots meaning one to two metres per second and would function up to a depth of 150 metres.

    The reseachers said the craft, in case of power failure or emergency, would drop ballast to float up and signal to be rescued.

    After collecting data, the robot would return to the exact spotfrom where it was released, recharge and go back on its mission. Enditem