4 ms·

I think it's so cool you could in theory buy a satellite module eg. $250 break out board from spark fun, plug it in and be talking to a robot in the middle of t

by ge96 7mo ago

I think it's so cool you could in theory buy a satellite module eg. $250 break out board from spark fun, plug it in and be talking to a robot in the middle of the ocean. I wondered about the legal aspect, can you do that? Just release something into the wild.

contingencies 7mo ago
Yes you can. However, international waters are a physically challenging environment and getting there requires navigating national waters which have regulatory restrictions. Of course, enforcement is probably nonexistant if you're small, barely visible, and heading straight out to sea... so, solve the "invisible awesome robot that can survive in tough conditions" problem, stock the "multi-day batteries for energy continuity" load, buy the "expensive communications" solution, and then yeah - you too can play with the big boys in the bathtub. Or ... just stick to your actual bathtub.
- rngfnby 7mo ago
  Coat the whole vessel in a couple mm of sylgard-184 and it'll last a century (or until it's beached).
- ge96 7mo ago
  Now I'm wondering, those people that sail say from SF to Hawaii in a small sailboat, do they do drop routes... "take my drone to the ocean and release it"
  - contingencies 7mo ago
    Uber for deployments to international waters. Love it. Vibecode that tomorrow.
UncleOxidant 7mo ago
Why not? I doubt there are any legal restrictions other than don't be a hazard to navigation. But it would probably be too small to be a hazard anyway, and likely too small to be noticed.
- lb1lf 7mo ago
  Anyone who would happen to come across it is likely to be suspicious of its origin and purpose, though. I happen to drop equipment into the sea for a living on occasion, and we always paint it in garish yellow for visibility and label it clearly with contact info to allay suspicions. Typically "Scientific instrument - flux capacitor, Acme Co. - www.bar.org // foo@bar.org // 555-2368" Also, we notify the coastal administration and the mapping agency so that an EfS (NOTMAR; Notices for Mariners) may be issued if they deem it necessary. A cynical colleague suggested we had better label them 'Highly radioactive' to keep fishermen from picking them up and taking them apart out of curiosity...

by ge96 7mo ago

contingencies 7mo ago

Yes you can. However, international waters are a physically challenging environment and getting there requires navigating national waters which have regulatory restrictions. Of course, enforcement is probably nonexistant if you're small, barely visible, and heading straight out to sea... so, solve the "invisible awesome robot that can survive in tough conditions" problem, stock the "multi-day batteries for energy continuity" load, buy the "expensive communications" solution, and then yeah - you too can play with the big boys in the bathtub. Or ... just stick to your actual bathtub.

rngfnby 7mo ago
Coat the whole vessel in a couple mm of sylgard-184 and it'll last a century (or until it's beached).
ge96 7mo ago
Now I'm wondering, those people that sail say from SF to Hawaii in a small sailboat, do they do drop routes... "take my drone to the ocean and release it"
- contingencies 7mo ago
  Uber for deployments to international waters. Love it. Vibecode that tomorrow.

UncleOxidant 7mo ago

Why not? I doubt there are any legal restrictions other than don't be a hazard to navigation. But it would probably be too small to be a hazard anyway, and likely too small to be noticed.

lb1lf 7mo ago
Anyone who would happen to come across it is likely to be suspicious of its origin and purpose, though. I happen to drop equipment into the sea for a living on occasion, and we always paint it in garish yellow for visibility and label it clearly with contact info to allay suspicions. Typically "Scientific instrument - flux capacitor, Acme Co. - www.bar.org // foo@bar.org // 555-2368" Also, we notify the coastal administration and the mapping agency so that an EfS (NOTMAR; Notices for Mariners) may be issued if they deem it necessary. A cynical colleague suggested we had better label them 'Highly radioactive' to keep fishermen from picking them up and taking them apart out of curiosity...