The University of Gothenburg will buy a new underwater vehicle to replace Ran, that was lost under a glacier in Antarctica in 2024. A large donation means that researchers can plan for new expeditions.
The autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) Ran contributed to groundbreaking research, education and technological development for six years. The most groundbreaking results were achieved during risky missions under the floating glaciers of Antarctica. It was also during one such mission that Ran was lost in January 2024.
"Thanks to Ran, we became the first researchers in the world to enter under the Thwaites glacier, which in part lies in the sea. Although satellite data shows melting and movement in the ice, we were able to obtain close-up images of the underside of the ice and information about the exact mechanisms behind the melting," says Anna Wåhlin, professor of oceanography, who led the expedition with Ran in Antarctica.
Generous donation
Thanks to a generous donation from the Voice of the Ocean Foundation (VOTO) and funds from insurance, the University of Gothenburg are able to buy a new AUV from Kongsberg AS, with delivery expected in winter 2026/2027. The new vehicle, named Ran II, will have the same capacity as Ran, but will be equipped with more robust decision support for emergencies and improved navigation. The upgrades will enhance both safety and precision in hard-to-reach environments such as under glaciers, under sea ice and near the seabed.
At the same time, the University of Gothenburg and Voice of the Ocean are initiating a close collaboration that will give researchers the opportunity to use Ran II for studies in nearby areas, such as the Baltic Sea. Through VOTO's Ocean Support initiative, researchers will have access to advanced marine technology, autonomous platforms and high-quality data, which will help accelerate the development of modern marine research.
Leading research
"We are living in a time when the ocean needs our attention more than ever. The investment in Ran II, made possible with joint support from Voice of the Ocean and Eric Douglas, will give researchers access to a platform that can deepen our understanding of changes in the ocean and spread that knowledge further. We look forward to collaborating with the University of Gothenburg and working together to strengthen Swedish research at the forefront of polar science," says Sanna Thimmig Johansen, CEO of Voice of the Ocean.
When Ran was commissioned in 2018, she was one of only three research AUVs of this type in the world, and the only one in Sweden. For six years, she was used for surveys near the bottom and under the ice in Swedish and international waters. Thanks to her efforts, Sweden is now one of the leading countries in AUV-based polar research and an active player in international method development.
Unique data from Ran
"The data we obtained from Ran's expeditions is unique in the world and of great value to international research. At the same time, there are high risks involved, and we knew that something like this could happen. Personally, I think this is a better end than it gathering dust in a garage," said Anna Wåhlin when Ran disappeared under the Antarctic ice.
This is a particularly dynamic time for autonomous underwater vehicles. Rapid advances in AI are opening up new tools for interpreting large, high-resolution data sets and for improved navigation and mission planning. The capacity built up in Sweden over the past decade has laid the foundation for strong international cooperation, which can now be further developed through this initiative.
