Robots and Whales

Sperm whale inspects marine robot (credit: Nautilus.org)

Curiosity is one characteristic of intelligence and it is not restricted only to humans. Marine researchers received more than they expected while gathering samples in the Gulf of Mexico.

The crew on a marine research vessel were using a remote controlled Hercules underwater robot or ROV when a very curious sperm whale decided to check out the new creature in its midst. The whale made repeated efforts to inspect the vehicle while the normally staid researchers were giddy as little kids by their amazement of the whale's interest. They captured the remarkable encounter with the robot's video camera and the whale's big eye is doing a lot of looking itself. No telling what the whale thought of the strange-looking creatures sitting in the control bubble. WHB

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