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Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
The deal is done for the new underwater vehicle that will replace Ran, the submarine that was lost under a glacier in Antarctica in 2024. A large donation means that researchers at the University of Gothenburg can plan for new expeditions.
The autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) Ran contributed to groundbreaking research, education and technological development for six years. The most groundbreaking results were achieved during risky missions under the floating glaciers of Antarctica. It was also during one such mission that Ran was lost in January 2024.
“Thanks to Ran, we became the first researchers in the world to enter the Thwaites glacier, which lies beneath the sea. Although satellite data shows melting and movement in the ice, we were able to obtain close-up images of the underside of the ice and information about the exact mechanisms behind the melting,” says Anna Wåhlin, professor of oceanography, who led the expedition with Ran in Antarctica.
Generous donation
Thanks to a generous donation from the Voice of the Ocean Foundation (VOTO) and funds from insurance, the University of Gothenburg are able to buy a new AUV from Kongsberg AS, with delivery expected in winter 2026/2027. The new vehicle, named Ran II, will have the same capacity as Ran, but will be equipped with more robust decision support for emergencies and improved navigation. The upgrades will enhance both safety and precision in hard-to-reach environments such as under glaciers, under sea ice and near the seabed.
At the same time, the University of Gothenburg and Voice of the Ocean are initiating a close collaboration that will give researchers the opportunity to use Ran II for studies in nearby areas, such as the Baltic Sea. Through VOTO's Ocean Support initiative, researchers will have access to advanced marine technology, autonomous platforms and high-quality data, which will help accelerate the development of modern marine research.
Leading research
“We are living in a time when the ocean needs our attention more than ever. The investment in Ran II, made possible with joint support from Voice of the Ocean and Eric Douglas, will give researchers access to a platform that can deepen our understanding of changes in the ocean and spread that knowledge further. We look forward to collaborating with the University of Gothenburg and working together to strengthen Swedish research at the forefront of polar science,” says Sanna Thimmig Johansen, CEO of Voice of the Ocean.
When Ran was commissioned in 2018, she was one of only three research AUVs of this type in the world, and the only one in Sweden. For six years, she was used for surveys near the bottom and under the ice in Swedish and international waters. Thanks to her efforts, Sweden is now one of the leading countries in AUV-based polar research and an active player in international method development.
Unique data from Ran
“The data we obtained from Ran's expeditions is unique in the world and of great value to international research. At the same time, there are high risks involved, and we knew that something like this could happen. Personally, I think this is a better end than it gathering dust in a garage,” said Anna Wåhlin when Ran disappeared under the Antarctic ice.
This is a particularly dynamic time for autonomous underwater vehicles. Rapid advances in AI are opening up new tools for interpreting large, high-resolution data sets and for improved navigation and mission planning. The capacity built up in Sweden over the past decade has laid the foundation for strong international cooperation, which can now be further developed through this initiative.
Facts AUV
An AUV, or Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, is programmed to operate without cables or active control, and can make its own decisions based on sensor data from its surroundings. It can reach environments that are inaccessible to ships: under glaciers, under thick sea ice and in parts of the deep sea. The platform carries several sensors that simultaneously measure topography, currents and water properties with high resolution.
Facts Scientific breakthroughs with Ran
In 2019, Swedish researchers conducted the first measurements under the notorious Thwaites Glacier, also known as the Doomsday Glacier, and identified, among other things, inflows of warmer, salt water into the glacier. Ran also collected some of the highest-resolution data ever obtained from the Antarctic continental shelf, enabling studies of processes that were active when the ice retreated about 100 years ago. Using multibeam echo sounders, the underside of the ice has been mapped with high precision, and in 2022 Ran carried out the first full-scale mapping of the underside of a glacier, where previously unknown structures were found. These point to local and/or periodic melting processes deep beneath the ice, a breakthrough that has opened up a new interdisciplinary field of research.
https://www.gu.se/en/news/auv-ran-brings-answers-to-doomsday-glacier-history
https://www.gu.se/en/news/a-whole-new-view-on-glacier-melting-in-antarctica
Facts Voice of the Ocean
Voice of the Ocean envisions a world where the ocean is understood, respected, and protected by all. The Foundation is dedicated to advancing marine research and promoting ocean literacy. By combining the power of storytelling with scientific integrity, Voice of the Ocean aims to spark curiosity, deepen understanding, and inspire meaningful engagement with the ocean.
For more information: www.voiceoftheocean.org
Contact: Anna Wåhlin, Professor of Oceanography at the University of Gothenburg, telephone: +46 (0)76-618 28 66, email: anna.wahlin@marine.gu.se
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