Self-driving ‘sailbot’ returns home to Vancouver after being lost at sea
VANCOUVER — She lost her sail and has a few scratches, but a robotic sailboat has returned home in relatively good condition after being lost at sea.
The self-navigating “sailbot” — a 5.5-metre solar-powered vessel — was rescued off the coast of Florida in December and has now returned to Vancouver.
Team captain Serena Ramley said the University of British Columbia students, who spent years designing the vessel, never gave up hope for its return.
“We know it’s a very big ocean, but the currents would have to lead her to land somewhere, whether it’s North America, South America, Europe or Africa,” she said.