Science directions: AUVs in ocean research and monitoring

Autonomous underwater vehicles have seen spectacular successes in many areas of ocean science over the last five years. What of the future? We are beginning to see AUVs become standard tools in several countries - becoming part of the infrastructure of oceanographic apparatus available to scientists, and funded as such. More and more science institutions are purchasing AUVs. Which areas of science are driving this transition? What types of applications might we see? How might the new capabilities of AUVs lead to new discoveries about our oceans? This article seeks to provide insights, if not always answers, to these and related questions that we may face over the next five years.