The autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) Dorado, shown here reflected in MBARI's test tank, is a relatively inexpensive platform for surveying the deep sea. This AUV is composed of modular units that can easily be swapped out for specific missions. The tailcone contains the propulsion system and navigation, while the nose cone contains a standard suite of water column instruments. The center sections can be custom tailored to the instruments and power systems required for the mission at hand. Image courtesy of Davidson Seamount Exploration 2002, MBARI, NOAA/OER.
