The University of Gothenburg has finalized arrangements for a new autonomous underwater vehicle to replace its pioneering research submarine lost during a groundbreaking Antarctic mission. This strategic acquisition, made possible through combined funding sources, represents a significant advancement in marine research technology and ensures Sweden’s continued leadership in polar science.
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The original AUV named Ran, which disappeared beneath an Antarctic glacier in January 2024, had established itself as one of only three research vehicles of its type globally when commissioned in 2018. During its six-year operational period, Ran conducted numerous high-risk missions under floating glaciers, collecting unprecedented data about ice melt mechanisms and underwater topography.
Breakthrough Research Legacy
Professor Anna Wåhlin, who led the Antarctic expeditions with Ran, emphasized the vehicle’s scientific contributions. “Thanks to Ran, we became the first researchers in the world to enter under the Thwaites glacier, which in part lies in the sea. Although satellite data shows melting and movement in the ice, we were able to obtain close-up images of the underside of the ice and information about the exact mechanisms behind the melting.”
The data collected by Ran has proven invaluable to international climate research, providing high-resolution measurements of topography, currents, and water properties in previously inaccessible environments. This research comes at a critical time, as multiple reports indicate we’re approaching Earth’s climate tipping points, making understanding polar processes increasingly urgent.
Enhanced Technological Capabilities
Ran II, scheduled for delivery in winter 2026/2027, will maintain the same research capacity as its predecessor while incorporating significant technological upgrades. The new vehicle will feature more robust decision support systems for emergency situations and improved navigation capabilities, enhancing both safety and precision during missions under glaciers, sea ice, and near seabeds.
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This technological evolution reflects broader trends in autonomous systems, where performance evolution in computing platforms enables more sophisticated mission planning and data interpretation capabilities. The timing coincides with other technological developments across industries, including significant improvements in computational frameworks that support advanced research applications.
Strategic Partnerships and Funding
The acquisition has been made possible through a generous donation from the Voice of the Ocean Foundation (VOTO) combined with insurance funds. This financial arrangement demonstrates how innovative funding models are enabling critical scientific infrastructure development.
Sanna Thimmig Johansen, CEO of Voice of the Ocean, highlighted the importance of this investment: “We are living in a time when the ocean needs our attention more than ever. The investment in Ran II will give researchers access to a platform that can deepen our understanding of changes in the ocean and spread that knowledge further.”
Expanded Research Opportunities
The collaboration between the University of Gothenburg and Voice of the Ocean extends beyond polar research. Through VOTO’s Ocean Support initiative, researchers will have access to Ran II for studies in nearby areas like the Baltic Sea, providing advanced marine technology, autonomous platforms, and high-quality data to accelerate marine research development.
This expanded access model reflects a growing trend in research infrastructure sharing, similar to how media organizations are exploring new service delivery models to reach broader audiences with specialized content.
Scientific Impact and Future Directions
The loss of the original Ran vehicle, while unfortunate, occurred during cutting-edge research that continues to inform climate science. Professor Wåhlin reflected on the vehicle’s legacy: “The data we obtained from Ran’s expeditions is unique in the world and of great value to international research. At the same time, there are high risks involved, and we knew that something like this could happen.”
As climate research becomes increasingly urgent, the deployment of Ran II represents a critical step in maintaining Sweden’s position at the forefront of polar research. The capacity developed over the past decade has established strong international cooperation frameworks that will now be further enhanced through this next-generation vehicle.
Autonomous underwater vehicles like Ran II operate without cables or active control, making independent decisions based on sensor data from their surroundings. This capability allows access to environments inaccessible to traditional research vessels, including under glaciers, thick sea ice, and deep-sea regions, making them indispensable tools for understanding our changing planet.
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