SailDrone

That’s right – according to the SailDrone Tracker, this 15-foot unmanned trimaran has averaged almost 5 knots through its first 1745 NM from San Francisco to Hawaii, with just 447 to go. It’s controlled via its own navigation package combined with instructions via satellite link and a smartphone. The coolest part? The SailDrone isn’t just for science, though it’s already being tested for three big scientific missions
; it’s also a cargo carrier! Can you imagine thousands of these things, each carrying 100 KG of cargo around the world? Autonomous, hive-based transport via wind power seems like a pretty cool solution to all sorts of shipping problems, and a boat designed to be submerged and rolled and keep on sailing…what an awesome way to send a birthday present to your sailing pal. Never mind the Colombian cartels; a little camo paint and a production line for these things and you’ve got a very nice way to millions worth of drugs. Not that we would ever, ever suggest that such a thing would be good.