Project Bob Embarks on Ambitious 25,000-Mile Autonomous Global Circumnavigation

Andrew McCalip, a prominent figure known for his work at Varda Space Industries and his public "hobby" engineering projects, announced the launch of "Project Bob," an ambitious endeavor to circumnavigate the globe with a 14-foot autonomous drone boat. The launch was confirmed via a tweet from McCalip, signaling the start of a journey expected to cover over 25,000 miles.

The solar-powered vessel, dubbed "Bob," is designed to operate autonomously, leveraging a sophisticated open-source technology stack. This includes a Raspberry Pi 4, running 14 Docker containers to manage propulsion, navigation, and data collection. Real-time telemetry and live video streams will be publicly accessible via a custom Grafana Cloud dashboard, with Starlink providing crucial connectivity across the oceans.

Project Bob's mission is not merely a technical feat but also an exercise in public engagement, building on McCalip's previous livestreamed projects, such as the LK-99 superconductor replication attempt. The initiative aims to demonstrate the capabilities of modern open-source software and hardware in tackling complex, real-world engineering challenges. The project's Kickstarter campaign successfully met its funding goal within a single day, underscoring public interest.

The planned circumnavigation route is rigorous, requiring the boat to cross the equator twice, pass through the Earth's antipode in the Indian Ocean (off the southern coast of Madagascar), and meticulously avoid all canals. This challenging path will take Bob around the tips of South America, Africa, and Australia before its anticipated return to Los Angeles.

McCalip has acknowledged the inherent difficulties of such a voyage, stating that success on the first attempt is not guaranteed. However, he and his team are committed to continuous effort, with the ultimate goal of achieving a world record for autonomous global circumnavigation. The project highlights the growing potential of unmanned marine technology and open-source collaboration in pushing the boundaries of exploration and engineering.