Finding Your Way With Telepresence
Telepresence in the Deep Sea
By Administrator
First published on February 23, 2025. Last updated on June 20, 2025.
Telepresence is used extensively for deep sea exploration and work. The U.S. National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration (NOAA) operates several remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) working at depth in real time. The ROVs are operated by Exploration Command Centers (ECCs).
“Telepresence involves the use of technology to allow a person to feel, interact, and collaborate as if they were present at one location when in fact they are at a different location.” (NOAA Telepresence Technology). “When applied to ocean exploration, telepresence technology allows a potentially unlimited number of scientists on shore to participate in at-sea ocean exploration, adding their expertise to missions no matter where in the world a ship, or the scientists, are located.” (Id.)
NOAA Ocean Exploration uses telepresence technology on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer to transmit data in real time to a shore-based hub where the video is then transmitted to any internet-enabled device. Access to the video and a suite of online collaboration tools allow scientists and the public on shore to join the expedition as it is happening.
Also, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) also uses telepresence to observe remote locations where it is difficult to locate humans, such as examining deep sea corals. (USGS 2019).
“Telepresence has changed the game of deep-sea science and exploration. Now, many research vessels and underwater robots live-stream their activities. This allows shore-based scientists to interact with and assist researchers at sea, and anyone from around the world can tune in from the comfort of their home or office to explore never-before-seen areas of the seafloor and engage with scientists in real time” (USGS 2019).
References
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Telepresence connects scientists at-sea with shore-based audiences
By Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, JUNE 20, 2019. (Last viewed on June 19, 2025). https://www.usgs.gov/news/science-snippet/waterwords-telepresence
U.S. National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration (NOAA), Introduction to Telepresence. (Last viewed on February 23, 2025). https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/edu/collection/media/hdwe-TPbkgnd.pdf
U.S. National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration (NOAA), Telepresence Technology. (Last viewed on February 23, 2025). https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/technology/telepresence/telepresence.html
U.S. National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration (NOAA), The Evolution of Telepresence Technology. (Last viewed on February 23, 2025). https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/07blacksea/background/telepresence/telepresence.html
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