Michigan Tech to use autonomous boat to explore, map Great Lakes

MICHIGAN – Michigan Tech is sending out an autonomous boat to map out the Great Lakes.

It’s a large project that is expected to be completed in 2030.

Ocean Infinity has partnered with the U.P. school to send the vessel into the waters to map out the entirety of the Great Lakes.

“Less than 15% of our lakes are mapped at high resolution,” said research engineer Travis White. “That means we know and understand more about the moon than we do about what’s at the bottom of our own lakes, which are our own backyard.”

Michigan Tech said the more we learn about the Great Lakes, the better we can keep them preserved and protected.

The vessel is autonomous and only has a remote crew in case of emergencies.

The boat was recently used to search Lake Superior for the wreckage of a 1968 plane crash.