Robots to replace Navy's mine-hunting dolphins

Some dolphins used by the US Navy to track down mines will soon lose their jobs to robots – but they will be reassigned, not retired.

Starting in 2017, 24 of the Navy's 80 military-trained dolphins will be replaced by a 12ft unmanned torpedo-shaped vehicle, according to the newspaper U-T San Diego.

The military said the machines can do some of the same mine-hunting duties as the dolphins. And they can be manufactured quickly, in contrast to the seven years it takes to train a dolphin.

But the dolphins will not be relieved of all duties. They will be used along with sea lions for port security and retrieving objects from the sea floor, the newspaper reported.

Read more [link to www.independent.co.uk]