# Episode 99: Robots mapping the deep ocean - Joe Wolfel

- Show: [Robot Talk](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk)
- Published: 2024-11-22
- Length: 27m
- Episode: 99
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-11-22-episode-99-robots-mapping-the-deep-ocean-joe-wolfel
- Listen: https://ukrobotics.libsyn.com/episode-ninety-nine-joe-wolfel

## Summary

Joe Wolfel, CEO and founder of Terradepth, explains how his background as a US Navy SEAL inspired the creation of autonomous submersible robots to map the deep ocean. He details Terradepth's 'soc' drone system, which uses two robots to leapfrog through the water column, enabling self-recharging and mutual localization without a surface vessel. Wolfel discusses the economic challenges of the maritime industry, the use of machine learning for data analysis, and the environmental benefits of reducing acoustic pollution compared to traditional ship-based mapping.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-11-22-episode-99-robots-mapping-the-deep-ocean-joe-wolfel#t=7) Introduction: Joe Wolfel and Terradepth
- [1:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-11-22-episode-99-robots-mapping-the-deep-ocean-joe-wolfel#t=112) Navy SEAL origins and the motivation to map the ocean
- [4:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-11-22-episode-99-robots-mapping-the-deep-ocean-joe-wolfel#t=260) The 'soc' drone system and leapfrogging technology
- [8:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-11-22-episode-99-robots-mapping-the-deep-ocean-joe-wolfel#t=483) Inertial navigation, localization, and acoustic relays
- [11:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-11-22-episode-99-robots-mapping-the-deep-ocean-joe-wolfel#t=706) Capital risk and the business model of autonomous vehicles
- [14:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-11-22-episode-99-robots-mapping-the-deep-ocean-joe-wolfel#t=891) Data applications: infrastructure inspection and environmental DNA
- [19:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-11-22-episode-99-robots-mapping-the-deep-ocean-joe-wolfel#t=1177) Unexpected discoveries and data accessibility
- [22:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-11-22-episode-99-robots-mapping-the-deep-ocean-joe-wolfel#t=1338) Machine learning integration and wildlife safety

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Terradepth (company)
- US Navy (other)
- Google Earth (other)
- MIT (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Autonomous submarines for ocean exploration; drone autonomy with Exyn Technologies](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-12-03-autonomous-submarines-for-ocean-exploration-drone-autonomy-with-exyn-technologie) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Nic Radford on developing underwater robots; Celebrating 100 episodes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-12-01-nic-radford-on-developing-underwater-robots-celebrating-100-episodes) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [166. Jellyfish Cyborgs Help Explore The Oceans & Solve Climate Change](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-03-19-166-jellyfish-cyborgs-help-explore-the-oceans-solve-climate-change) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [282: Tin Can Through a Wet Noodle](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-03-21-282-tin-can-through-a-wet-noodle) (Embedded.fm)
- [Deep Sea Mining: A Responsible Approach to Resource Extraction with Oliver Gunasekara](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2024-06-06-deep-sea-mining-a-responsible-approach-to-resource-extraction-with-oliver-gunase) (Hardware to Save a Planet)

## Citing this page

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