Deep-sea mining firm Impossible Metals said on Monday it has successfully tested an autonomous robot that uses AI to selectively retrieve critical minerals at depths of more than 4,000 meters (13,123 feet) in the Pacific Ocean.
\n\nParts of the ocean seabed contain potato-shaped rocks known as polymetallic nodules filled with copper, nickel and other minerals used in electric vehicles and electronics.
\n\nMany companies in the nascent industry plan to use a vacuum-like device to retrieve those nodules, sparking controversy from environmentalists.
\n\nImpossible Metals, which is backed by Y Combinator, has developed a robot with a large claw that it says uses artificial intelligence to avoid aquatic life and reduce environmental impacts.
\n\nThe test was part of a scientific expedition in September. The robot directed itself to the seabed, retrieved about 450 grams (1 pound) of nodules and then returned to the surface.
\n\nResults from the test will be used to develop a larger version of the robot. The company still needs regulatory approval from the International Seabed Authority or the US government.
\n\nSeparately, Impossible Metals said that the family of FedEx founder Fred Smith had participated in the company’s Series A funding round, which closed earlier this year.
\n\nThe company…
Original source: https://www.cnbctv18.com/technology/
