Where's Waldo- $500 Reward- Have You Seen This Robot

[DevilDiver]

SARASOTA, Florida -- Mote scientists spent Thursday using side-scan sonar in an effort to find a scientific robot that has been missing since Monday, Aug. 31, 2009. Now we're seeking the public's help for the safe return of the robot nicknamed "Waldo." (Yes, after that Waldo!)
The robot - an autonomous underwater vehicle or AUV for short - had been patrolling the waters off Southwest Florida for five days looking for signs of red tide. The robot is equipped with a BreveBusterTM, a device designed and built by Mote scientist Dr. Gary Kirkpatrick that can automatically detect the presence of red tide in the water.

The AUVs are designed to glide up and down and forward through the water, sending signals to satellites each time they surface. Waldo was tooling along offshore from Venice just fine, making reports every two hours between Aug. 26 and 31.

"Then, bam, it just stopped sending a signal," Kirkpatrick said. "There are a few possibilities that we think are likely: It could have had a major leak or malfunction and sank to the bottom and is just sitting there. Or, it could have had a malfunction with its computer or its communication system and is floating on the surface but unable to tell us that it's there."

An unsuspecting boater who didn't realize the device was a scientific instrument may have also taken the BreveBuster.TM "We're hoping that if anyone has seen Waldo, they will call and let us know so we can pick it up," Kirkpatrick said.

Mote is offering a $500 "No-Questions-Asked" reward for the return of Waldo. Scientists are hoping that with Labor Day being a busy boating holiday, someone will spot the AUV and help us bring it home. Anyone with information about Mote's missing AUV is asked to call (941) 388-4441 x 271.

[navyhmc]

Funny, it doesn't look like waldo... interesting automaton. Hope they find it and it's intact.

[WaScubaDude]

Humbolt squid??

[comet24]

How big is it. They show a picture but that gives no idea. Could be five feet or twenty.

[WaScubaDude]

Guessing by the waves and ripples I would say just shy of 8 ft. x 3.5ft wide at the fins.

[petronius]

It's what they get for choosing that name. Lemme guess, the rest of the fleet is AUV Carmen Sandiego, AUV Ambrose Bierce, and AUV Flying Dutchman...

Still, I hope they find the thing.

[Smashee]

Originally Posted by petronius

Lemme guess, the rest of the fleet is AUV Carmen Sandiego, AUV Ambrose Bierce, and AUV Flying Dutchman...

Partial credit. :-) The other two AUVs are called Carmen and Nemo.

[navyhmc]

It had to waldo....I would think a headline of "Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?" would be better than "Where's Waldo?"

[Flatliner]

I am fighting the urge to get my kids involved in this thread.

[petronius]

Originally Posted by Smashee

Partial credit. :-) The other two AUVs are called Carmen and Nemo.

Well, at least Nemo came home safely (if I remember the movie correctly)...