this is bbc news, the headlines... polls are open in australia's general election, with the opposition labor party hoping to end nine years of conservative rule. voters will choose between the incumbent scott morrison and his rival, the labor leader, anthony albanese. whoever wins has tough challenges ahead, including the cost of living and climate change. the commander of ukraine's azov regiment says his soldiers have finally ended their defence of the devastated port city of mariupol. the russian defence ministry says its forces are in complete control of the vast steelworks there. fighters from the azov regiment were holed up inside the plant for weeks, while the city suffered constant bombardment.

the world health organization has convened a meeting to discuss the global rise in monkeypox infections — more than 100 cases have been reported across eleven countries outside africa where it's most common. first identified in monkeys, the disease typically spreadsthrough close contact. now on bbc news — click. this week, we are going to see, to see what the seals can see. really? yes. and what can they see? an enormous turbine! we are going to find out whether sea life and see machines can happily coexist.

this is a harbour seal and this is what we are looking for in the data. we take control of this monster. paul gets up close to this beast. and zoe gets attacked by a giant iron man. hello and welcome to another scenic glasgow location. behind us is a victorian ship and for a long time we have known the power of wind at sea, but we are getting better than ever before at harnessing wind power. yeah, the year 2020 will not be fondly remembered for much, i would say, but it was at least a very windy year. apparently, in 2020, we produced 50% more wind power than in 2019. and one of the best places to have a wind farm is at sea, where there is lots of wind and also lots of space, but how do you look after it? well, paul carter has taken the plunge to find out. no, this isn't some

kind of sea monster. but an autonomous machine which aims to perhaps make working at sea that little bit safer. with an ever—growing demand for renewable and sustainable energy sources, the infrastructure that provides that energy is becoming increasingly critical. now, at present, those facilities are often maintained by human divers, working in challenging and hazardous conditions, but here at heriot watt university, they are developing underwater robotic solutions to help take the strain. they have come up with this, the orca autonomous drone. we have got a mechanical scanning sonar and that can see all of the structures and items around the vehicle, at a long distance. we have got an acoustic modem. this means that we can

communicate with the robot using sounds underwater. how does it move around in the water? is it with these propellers that i can see here on either side? yes, there are eight thrusters that are used and it can move it in all six directions. you have got forwards, backwards, left, right, up, down and then you have got roll, pitch and turn. wow, it is pretty manoeuvrable then. yes. all of this technology allows the device to work autonomously, planning its own route to fully scan a structure, with little human intervention. so, the system that we have will continuously explore the unknown areas and see what comes next on the structure, but we can also suggest positions to it. it takes the images from both cameras, stereo cameras, much like how we perceive depth and it can use this data to create a sd model of the structure, under the water. these can be viewed by the engineers and the surveyors

to detect problems early when they are able to be fixed easily and cost effectively. currently, 80% of the cost of offshore wind is spent on maintenance, through manned ships and technicians, through inspection and repair. it is easy to see how this robot could cut costs. but robots may also solve a practical issue as wind power expands. in the future we will have, not hundreds, but tens of thousands of offshore wind farms. if you have got thousands of turbines to inspect, and if you have one person, one vehicle, and you need 10,000 pilots and you do not have them, and they do not exist, we are going to need to replace or change the way we do things, so that we can have several pilots entering tens of hundreds of those vehicles. we need small scale robotic fleets that are able to navigate these larger farms and inspect them remotely from shore.

what is really fascinating is how autonomous robots like this could allow for further innovation, solving problems like the expansion of wind farms, held back by the sheer practicalities of people. it is easy to imagine how undersea cables, renewable structures and even votes could be maintained remotely. so, the technology seems to be there, it is now over to the businesses to make sure it is viable. it is notjust under the water where there is innovation, this is a vessel with no people on it. also known as an un—crewed surface vessel, which can take to the seas to inspect projects in far—flung locations,

which are difficult to get to. autonomously operated vehicles like this are really important for the environment, because they reduce fuel consumption and they also mean less people need to go offshore to do the on—site inspection. this is the electrical remotely operated vehicle and what it is doing is it is launching into the water. it is filled with sensors and cameras and it will look at high definition images, feed all that stuff back, via satellite, to the guys in aberdeen. by deploying these types of vehicles, there is the potential to reduce fuel consumption by as much as 95% in comparison with conventional ones. autonomous vehicles are marine robots, basically, so all of our lives are moving towards digital and remote autonomous, so this is nothing difference, this isjust the transformation of the offshore marine industry into a fleet of robotic vessels that can go and collect really

cool, very significant data that we need. the firm collects and analyses geological data at land and at sea. we are also looking to expand our fleet, this is obviously the first of a fleet of three or four that we expect to have by the end of this year and then we are looking to expand into a fleet of larger vessels that are capable of conducting operations in the even more hazardous environments, of greater weather insurance limits and also the capacity to be at sea for that much longer. all clear to move off? 0k, all good to move off. here, in aberdeen, where the control centre is, the team on dry land connects with the technology which is out at sea. visual data from the cameras, so if we are on the wind farm, i as you see the wind farm coming up from the sea, _ there is actually a big | structure underneath.

it goes to the sea beds - and attach there, and we will be looking to attach to the sea bed, the metal— structure itself. they are all connected - with power cables, we will also inspect power cables, i make sure they are not being damaged by fishermen. it also has sensors that can - make 3d models of the sea bed, so we can also check around the base of the structures . and inspect the pipelines of these as well. - remote and autonomous technologies will play a vital role in the future of the maritime sector. this company hope to expand their fleet in the coming years to play a part in a safer and more sustainable future for essential work that needs to take place out at sea. now, with more and more tech used above and below the water, have you ever wondered how it affects the creatures that live in it? well, harriet bradshaw has been to see some technology

that is trying to find out if new tidal turbines are harming sea life in their homes. the challenge ahead. it is absolutely terrifying, yeah. this thing is going to go down and it is going to get plugged in and it is going to work or it is not going to work. this is about balancing technology with nature. in this particular area, we have lost about 85% of our harbour seals. so, how do we protect them whilst quenching our thirst for clean energy? tidal has a role, the wind does not always blow, i tidal always keeps going. perhaps this monitor is the answer. we are in the north—east of scotland. it is about the length of a bus. crikey! the blades go round... all underwater! all underwater, so vessels pass over the top, we are eight metres underwater, the tip of the blade. this tidal turbine is being prepared to go into waters with some of the strongest

currents in the world. let us have a little bit more of a look. and underwater, that power will push these blades around to make renewable energy, but tidal power is not yet as developed as wind power. those are barnacles on there. this one has already been underwater? yes, this has been in the water for about two years. this turbine does get barnacle growth on it and then that becomes food for fish and during slack tide there are fish around the turbines. which would attract these little mammals. which would attract predators. so, a little feeding ground on the question is, as the flow increases and the turbine goes into production, and the blades spin faster, do the fish remain? do the predators come back? do we have an impact on those predators and is it a detrimental impact? and it is crucial to develop these kinds of turbines in a way that does not harm these creatures, which are already under threat. in the past, in the early 2000, between orkney and the north coast here, we have had about 9000 harbour

seals, and unfortunately over the last ten or 15 years, we have lost about 85% of those animals. we have one, see at the end of the slip down here? yes, so some of the initial researchers were actually designed to look at how animals are actually using some of these habitats, how they are using these highly tidal areas around the coast of scotland and we are certainly seen that these areas do seem to be important for harbour seals around this area and indeed we do see animals coming relatively close to the turbines, but it is really that fine scale behaviour that we are interested in. what do animals do when they come really close to the turbines? to answer this unknown, sinking a monitor next to a turbine might be key. so, douglas, this is going to be submerged under water. can you take us through the technology here? 0h of course. the two main sensori technologies we have

got on it, active sonar- is that we are using to track the seals, primarily, - who might make much noise underwater, so these standout in very high frequency pink, i which is to lead for the arms to hear or be disturbed by, i they listen for the echo - and they can build up an image of exactly where the animals are around the turbine. - the other centre that we have got on it is underneath this. protective housing here, i which is the passive hydra phones, which are listening. to the sounds that the animals make and we can use those to pick up the sounds - of porpoises and dolphins. i have also noticed this, douglas. then there is the great umbilical cable. - the optical fibres that - are bringing the data sure are actually about as thick as a human hair. - they are inside all of this with_ they are inside all of this with a _ they are inside all of this with a lot _ they are inside all of this with a lot of _ they are inside all of this with a lot of steel- they are inside all of this with a lot of steel in - they are inside all of thisl with a lot of steel in there they are inside all of this - with a lot of steel in there as well— with a lot of steel in there as wettiust_ with a lot of steel in there as wettiust to _ with a lot of steel in there as welljust to make _ with a lot of steel in there as welljust to make them - with a lot of steel in there as| welljust to make them heavy enough — welljust to make them heavy enough to— welljust to make them heavy enough to tie _ welljust to make them heavy enough to lie on _ welljust to make them heavy enough to lie on the - welljust to make them heavy enough to lie on the sea - welljust to make them heavyl enough to lie on the sea floor.

no one — enough to lie on the sea floor. no one said _ enough to lie on the sea floor. no one said this— enough to lie on the sea floor. no one said this was _ enough to lie on the sea floor. no one said this was going - enough to lie on the sea floor. no one said this was going toi no one said this was going to be easy. thejourney no one said this was going to be easy. the journey to the far north of scotland begins. john 0 groats. it is here that the monitor will be sunk under water and installed on the sea bed next to the turbine. when it is connected, the signal will run through underwater cables to the substation here. this is a test deployment that we did a couple of summers ago on the west coast of scotland. you will see there are some moving targets, these are small fish and what we see here is this bright target, this is a harbour seal and that is what we are looking for in the data. this was just a test. in the substation, douglas and gordon

are waiting to see if it will work more permanently. how are you feeling? ah, work more permanently. how are you feeling?— you feeling? a little bit nervous. _ you feeling? a little bit nervous, we _ you feeling? a little bit nervous, we test - you feeling? a little bit nervous, we test a - you feeling? a little bit nervous, we test a lot. you feeling? a little bit i nervous, we test a lot and you feeling? a little bit - nervous, we test a lot and this equipment— nervous, we test a lot and this equipment is— nervous, we test a lot and this equipment is about _ nervous, we test a lot and this equipment is about to - nervous, we test a lot and this equipment is about to go - nervous, we test a lot and this equipment is about to go intol equipment is about to go into one of— equipment is about to go into one of the _ equipment is about to go into one of the harshest _ equipment is about to go into one of the harshest marine i one of the harshest marine environments— one of the harshest marine environments in— one of the harshest marine environments in uk- one of the harshest marinel environments in uk waters. one of the harshest marine - environments in uk waters. we will sax — environments in uk waters. we will saw it— environments in uk waters. we will sa . , . environments in uk waters. we willsa. , ., , , will say. it is sam, the ship is at sea — will say. it is sam, the ship is at sea and _ will say. it is sam, the ship is at sea and we _ will say. it is sam, the ship is at sea and we are - will say. it is sam, the ship is at sea and we are in - will say. it is sam, the ship i is at sea and we are in london waiting for the signal and that is because there is only a certain number of opportunities for the equipment to be submerged under water and on the sea bed because of tidal conditions. there is a delay. the turbine must be installed first, but the problem is holding things up.- first, but the problem is holding things up. they have not not holding things up. they have not got the _ holding things up. they have not got the equipment - holding things up. they have not got the equipment yet, l holding things up. they have i not got the equipment yet, but it wiii— not got the equipment yet, but it will happen _ not got the equipment yet, but it will happen today. _ not got the equipment yet, but it will happen today. as - not got the equipment yet, butj it will happen today. as anyone who has — it will happen today. as anyone who has worked _ it will happen today. as anyone who has worked at _ it will happen today. as anyone who has worked at sea - it will happen today. as anyone who has worked at sea will- it will happen today. as anyone who has worked at sea will no, | who has worked at sea will no, nothing — who has worked at sea will no, nothing ever— who has worked at sea will no, nothing ever goes— who has worked at sea will no, nothing ever goes quite - nothing ever goes quite according _ nothing ever goes quite according to _ nothing ever goes quite according to plan. i nothing ever goes quite according to plan.-

nothing ever goes quite accordin: to ian. ., according to plan. the moment finally arrives. _ according to plan. the moment finally arrives. remember i according to plan. the moment finally arrives. remember that| finally arrives. remember that umbilical cord prime minister's questions the power cable that sends data to shore. we are watching it being pulled into a hub and this will give the monitor power and this is a crucial moment, is it going to connect? after years in the making, it is not good news. everything went together, but nothing came to life. thegt everything went together, but nothing came to life. they have nothing came to life. they have not civen nothing came to life. they have not given op- — nothing came to life. they have not given up. it _ nothing came to life. they have not given up. it is _ nothing came to life. they have not given up. it is an _ nothing came to life. they have not given up. it is an easy - not given up. it is an easy little move _ not given up. it is an easy little move to _ not given up. it is an easy little move to rectify i not given up. it is an easy little move to rectify it. i little move to rectify it. thank you. months later they sort out the power supply. what sort out the power supply. what a da ! six sort out the power supply. what a day! six long _ sort out the power supply. what a day! six long years _ sort out the power supply. what a day! six long years of- sort out the power supply. “to"isgt a day! six long years of work. it is working, i could not be happier. it is working, i could not be ha ier. ~ it is working, i could not be happier-— it is working, i could not be ha--ier.~ ., ., ., happier. we are all over'oyed. collectingfi happier. we are all over'oyed. collecting data i happier. we are all over'oyed. collecting data and i happier. we are all over'oyed. collecting data and we i happier. we are all overjoyed. collecting data and we hope . happier. we are all overjoyed. | collecting data and we hope to carry— collecting data and we hope to carry on — collecting data and we hope to carry on doing that for the next — carry on doing that for the

next year. that was harriet and on dry land it is time for a look at the tech news. netflix has laid off about 150 staff at one month after it said it was losing subscribers for the first time in a decade. the redundancies will affect around 2% of its north american staff. meanwhile disney plus has added almost 8 million new subscribers bringing it to a total of a38 million users. still less than netflix. netflix is spending less in terms _ netflix is spending less in terms of trying to get their subscribers than disney is at this— subscribers than disney is at this point. it is proving to be very— this point. it is proving to be very successful. they are going into about _ very successful. they are going into about 54 different markets.— into about 54 different markets. , ., . , ., markets. researchers from cornell university - markets. researchers from cornell university are - markets. researchers from l cornell university are looking into how a massive robot can be

used to make the construction industry greener. the robot is being used to 3d print materials like concrete without using time intensive moles. apple has announced a range of new accessibility features for its devices such as live captions that will transcribe calls, videos and even in—person conversations. the features are due to be introduced later this year in the us. none of this is real, the grass, the sky, the trees, it is all computer generated on this smart stage. here at this multi—million pound brand—new centre for making all things virtual reality. come with me and we will have a quick tour. the centre has motion capture but to show you that, i will need to get into one of these.

there are a8 cameras tracking my every move. the studio has been used by the royal shakespeare company to create a digital production of a midsummer nights dream. traditional motion capture you could not see what you were doing in real time but now you can. it makes it easierfor actors to assume the roles of their characters in videos, movies and computer games and they can see what they are doing. this kit requires time, space and expertise. it is not easy for smaller businesses to access. vr can be fun, but there is also a serious reason to consider using it professionally. to consider using it rofessionall. ,, , ., , professionally. sustainability. i was due professionally. sustainability. i was due to _ professionally. sustainability. i was due to give _ professionally. sustainability. i was due to give a _ professionally. sustainability. i was due to give a keynote i i was due to give a keynote address in michigan and normally i would have flown there but now i am doing it from here. that is a significant carbon saving. this is our significant carbon saving. this is your baby- _

significant carbon saving. this is your baby. it _ significant carbon saving. this is your baby. it is _ significant carbon saving. this is your baby. it is a _ significant carbon saving. this is your baby. it is a little - is your baby. it is a little bit like _ is your baby. it is a little bit like a _ is your baby. it is a little bit like a fourth - is your baby. it is a little bit like a fourth child, i is your baby. it is a little l bit like a fourth child, the first time you give someone a headset and you see that smile, it is magical. headset and you see that smile, it is magical-— it is magical. that magic can be hard to — it is magical. that magic can be hard to maintain - it is magical. that magic can be hard to maintain when i it is magical. that magic can i be hard to maintain when there is a crucial element missing, yoursense is a crucial element missing, your sense of touch. are you really fighting a fire if you cannot feel the heat? this tesla suit aims to fix that with dozens of sensors that can be programmed to make your skin tingle in every sense. there is one in portsmouth but it is not yet ready for me to try out. if people are put off mic vr by headset, who will want to stick on a as well? there is another challenge facing the extended reality market that this centre aims to address. some say there is not enough content to keep people interested.— people interested. there is still limited _ people interested. there is still limited amounts i people interested. there is still limited amounts of - still limited amounts of content. in that sense it is like subscribing to a television service and only

having three channels. even if you're really excited, those three channels have maybe three hours worth of programming per day. that is a challenge in terms of getting people to adapt. in terms of getting people to ada t. , , ., terms of getting people to adat. , , ., i, terms of getting people to adat. , , ., adapt. in this studio you can be videoed _ adapt. in this studio you can be videoed in _ adapt. in this studio you can be videoed in 3d _ adapt. in this studio you can be videoed in 3d and - adapt. in this studio you can be videoed in 3d and it - adapt. in this studio you can be videoed in 3d and it is . be videoed in sd and it is called volumetric capture and once you have been recorded, you can end up anywhere. wrong room! apparently zoe is still trying to find your way out. that is the thing about the latest generation of immersive tech, it really is immersive. yes, we have both gone into the virtual world. we are starting to see proper performances taking place. like the time you were in a vr at nights dream. i only had a tiny part.— only had a tiny part. these performances _ only had a tiny part. these performances can - only had a tiny part. these performances can be - only had a tiny part. these - performances can be exclusive because you have to have the right equipment to be able to

enjoy the experience. now, a show that is trying to be accessible to anyone on anything. accessible to anyone on anything-— accessible to anyone on an hina. ., ., ., ., anything. the nationaltheatre in london has _ anything. the nationaltheatre in london has long _ anything. the nationaltheatre in london has long been - anything. the nationaltheatre in london has long been one . anything. the national theatre | in london has long been one of the city's best respected stage venues, but now at its studio it has also been working hard on its digital offerings. originally just on its digital offerings. originallyjust a virtual reality experience, all kinds of limbo is a celebration of multicultural society that had run alongside a stage show. now it has opened up a whole new genre of entertainment and the idea that the same show can be watched at the same time anywhere in the world in a variety of formats depending on what kit you have available to you. that could be in vr on a normal computer screen or in augmented reality via a phone or tablet. augmented reality via a phone ortablet. it augmented reality via a phone or tablet. it is quite nice i can make it appear in the room but i think i would appreciate it more at home. i want to

dance, it will make the ipad move too much. that was really immersive and it was lovely to be able to move around the performance and see it from all angles make it bigger and smaller. it was a bit heavy to hold, but most people will probably be doing it on a smartphone and you can rest it on a table. for me, it did feel more natural and engaging in its originalformat. i its original format. i definitely its originalformat. i definitely feel more immersed here. we recorded her performance with about 120 cameras, all set around her, and we then process that through technology that allows us to create a three—dimensional hologram. from that one asset we put it into vr, so you can experience that, much like meeting someone when you put on a vr headset and it feels like you're there

in front of you and then it is a portal onto that experience. it is not quite the same. then there is the desktop experience. it takes place as an enhanced grain. the experience. it takes place as an enhanced grain.— experience. it takes place as an enhanced grain. the idea is about being — an enhanced grain. the idea is about being able _ an enhanced grain. the idea is about being able to _ an enhanced grain. the idea is i about being able to democratise the performance, so if you do not have a vr headset are not many people do or a great phone, but you do have a decent computer or laptop, then maybe you want to watch it on one of them and you will still have them and you will still have the ability to make it immersive, to be able to move around. i immersive, to be able to move around. ~ . ., around. i think what we are expl°fi"9 — around. i think what we are exploring here _ around. i think what we are exploring here is _ exploring here is most definitely a new future. it is not the new _ definitely a new future. it is not the new future - definitely a new future. it is not the new future we - definitely a new future. it is not the new future we will ever replace — not the new future we will ever replace live performance, however _ replace live performance, however with the technologies that are — however with the technologies that are available and the expectations of audiences continuing to change over time,

what _ continuing to change over time, what is — continuing to change over time, what is great is for us to be able — what is great is for us to be able to— what is great is for us to be able to bring national theatre to audiences in new ways. whilst _ to audiences in new ways. whilst the aim here is far from replacing theatre, it might just add something extra and an experience that can be enjoyed by many more. that is it for us. that is us for now. we will be back very soon. thank you for watching, goodbye. the weekend for many of us

actually is not looking too bad. some sunshine around and feeling pleasantly warm, but we have some scattered showers in the forecast. in fact it will end up fairly cloudy in northern ireland and the west of scotland eventually later on saturday. the clouds have been clearing overnight and into the early hours of saturday morning and it is largely clear across the uk, perhaps and murk around, just a few showers in the western isles, may be central scotland, but other than that i think it is mostly sunny right from the word go with temperatures between nine and 11 degrees and here's how it looks on saturday, bright and sunny across england and wales, but in northern ireland and the west of scotland, particularly the south west it will cloud over with rain but this is at four o'clock in the afternoon, the best of the

weather in england and wales with temperatures around 21 degrees, just the chance of a shower but an outside chance, this is where most of the cloud will be, northern ireland, south west and western scotland, outbreaks of rain but in the north we will have sunny spells. going through the afternoon, it will turn wetter in the western isles, but further south it stays dry in england and wales. 0n further south it stays dry in england and wales. on sunday, there will be a weather front brushing north and west and in the south and south—east under the south and south—east under the influence of high pressure sitting around holland and germany. some warmth being spread in our direction and temperatures will rise a little bit. only a bit. that is on sunday. there is still that atlantic breeze, weather fronts

coming in, showers, 15 or16 degrees at best. in london in the south—east, temperatures could reach 2s. how about next week? it stays relatively settled in the extreme south—east, but for many areas it is a case of sunshine and showers.

welcome to bbc news. i'm rich preston. our top stories: russia intensifies its attacks on ukraine's donbas region as its forces advance on the battlefield in the south and east of the country. the outcome of this war depends on ukrainian resilience, on the amount of help its army gets from nato, and president putin's determination to fight on whatever the cost to russia. polls are open in australia's general election, with voters choosing between the incumbent scott morrison and his rival, the labor leader, anthony albanese. the world health organization convenes a meeting to discuss the global rise in monkeypox infections. more than 100 cases are reported across 11 countries outside africa.