PROTOTYPE DEVELOPMENT OF DRIFTING BUOY USING ANDROID SMART PHONE AND ITS FIELD TEST

Abstract

 We developed a new drifting buoy using Android smart phone. The drifting bouy can detect its position using GPS system and also measure wind velocity and direction. The measured data can be immediately transmitted to a distant location by 3rd generation mobile phone network. Field tests were conducted to verify its basic function and found that the system can work in nearshore area and may be applicable to monitoring spilled oil drift and its forcast.