An autonomous underwater glider is an unmanned marine vehicle designed to collect oceanographic measurements over extended periods and large areas. Unlike conventional propeller-driven vehicles, gliders typically move through the water by changing their buoyancy and using their wings to convert vertical movement into forward motion.

Equipped with scientific sensors, underwater gliders can gather continuous observations of parameters such as temperature, salinity, depth and other environmental variables. Their long endurance makes them particularly valuable for sustained ocean monitoring and research missions.