Robots in the ocean are giving scientists more details about processes above and below the surface that affect our weather, our food supply, and more. They're also helping chemical oceanographers understand and record the effects that climate change is having on our waters. The past 2 decades have seen a growing fleet of uncrewed research vessels and a proliferation of chemical sensors, which together are giving chemical oceanographers access to an unprecedented wealth of data. That's changing not just the way they think the oceans work but also how they themselves work. In this episode, pioneers of ocean robotics and scientists developing new sensors for the crewless vehicles tell tales of that work. And hacky sacks.

For a script of this podcast and a video of a sail drone, visit our website.

Music credits:

"Blind Love Dub" by Jeris is licensed under CC BY 3.0

"Morning Cruise," "September Sky," and "Dance of the Pixies" by Jens Kiilstofte are licensed under CC BY 4.0.

"Where Was I?" by Lee Rosevere is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Image credit: NOAA