A hi-tech research submarine that keeps on going and going -- thanks to thousands of ordinary batteries -- will soon be visiting Bermuda.

Called the Autosub, the craft is one of the most advanced autonomous submarines in the world, but relies on 2,500 regular-sized batteries for its power.

And for its mission from the Bermuda Biological Research Station, officials there will have to buy the batteries and solder them together.

Station director Dr. Tony Knap said the reason that regular batteries are used is because of their weight -- larger units would be far too heavy for the $12 million sub.

"It is a little Heath Robinson,'' he said. "This is one of the most hi-tech vehicles in the world but because of the power requirement we have got batteries that are low-tech.'' The British-owned sub arrives in a ship container in June for three weeks and staff at the station will be using it to carry out detailed research of the ocean bed and to try to break a world record.

The longest ocean trip by an autonomous submarine is 110 kilometres but Dr.

Knap hopes to beat that with a voyage of 250 km.

Once in the ocean the seven metre vehicle will be controlled remotely by staff at the BBRS, with the additional use of satellite to pinpoint its exact location.

He added that they were also looking for sponsorship from a major battery manufacturer for future missions with Autosub -- which is the result of collaboration between industry, Government and universities across the UK.

Its versatility means it can be used to measure and record many different characteristics of the ocean.

"It could be a lot of fun,'' said Dr. Knap.

BATTERY POWER -- The Autosub relies on 2,500 regular-size batteries for its power.

SUBMARINE SHI