Scientists at Aberystwyth University have created an robotic boat using the power for the wind to travel the seas. The boat named 'Pinta' will join seven other boats in an race to cross the Atlantic Ocean, this could set a new record in robotics as being the first boat to cross the ocean using wind power alone, the Times of London reports.

If successful it is hoped these robotic boats will be able to carry out automated tasks such as sampling expeditions to collect data for scientists to study, other enviromental tasks could involve climate change, weather and the chemistry of the oceans.

Mark Neal, of Aberystwyth University, said: "This is the first time anybody has attempted to sail across any ocean with an automated boat. The big issue in robotics at the moment is longevity and flexibility in a complicated environment."

"Something that can survive for two to three months completely unassisted while doing something interesting is a major challenge. If it does get there I will be seriously cheerful. It will open up all the oceans to environmental monitoring by robots."

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