Multiscale vorticity from a swarm of drifters

A group of autonomous, drivable surface drifters is able to measure surface current vorticity over a range of length scales. Standard X-shaped drifters are equipped with the ability to fold into a low-drag configuration and navigate as a group. The drifters can be autonomously deployed to a target location and can be commanded to regroup during a drift to maintain a consistent distribution. In this way the evolution of surface currents in a parcel of water can be tracked with a consistent resolution.