A small coral nursery at an Australian research institute is equipped with a tireless robotic arm that works 24 hours a day. This machine feeds, cleans and nurtures young corals. Once the corals are ready to be released back into the ocean, underwater drones will monitor their health and the condition of the reef. This partnership between two robotic systems highlights the possibility of: Technologies that address environmental issues. As climate change threatens coral survival, these innovations offer a glimmer of hope. This article details these advances and presents videos showcasing some of the most impressive marine robots to date.
Coral nursery with robot manager
Before considering cutting-edge robotic solutions aimed at restoring Australia’s coral reefs, it is essential to understand the challenges facing these ecosystems. Corals, especially those on the Great Barrier Reef, is under siege. Climate change is causing large-scale bleaching events in which corals lose their algae, their food source. Pollution from agricultural runoff, plastics, overfishing and coastal development are fueling the crisis. Their survival is further threatened by intensifying tropical storms and invasive species such as crown-of-thorns starfish.
In response, researchers are increasingly growing corals in controlled laboratory environments before transplanting them into the ocean. However, this labor-intensive process requires significant resources. As corals grow, they need to be fed, cleaned, and moved to a larger tank. scale up to regenerate millions of corals It highlights the enormity of the task.
Enter robotics. Australia’s government agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), is exploring innovative ways to automate this work. Beyond Coral, a foundation dedicated to coral reef restoration, has deployed a robot called CHARM (Coral Care Automated Circuit Machine). CSIRO contributed to CHARM by designing an advanced robotic arm that can operate non-stop.
This arm, Equipped with a soft gripper, it handles coral tissue delicately. Strong enough to lift corals and transfer them to a new tank. Developed using generative AI, the arm design is optimized for efficiency and durability. 3D printed using materials that are resistant to saltwater corrosion, including hard polymers and soft rubber. Researchers hope that one day they will be able to use similar techniques to plant adult corals directly on reefs.
Robot monitoring coral health
The role of robots in coral restoration is not limited to laboratory cultivation. Recently, an Australian company Introducing Hydrasa lightweight underwater drone designed for coral monitoring. This innovative drone can descend to a depth of 300 meters and operate within a range of 9 kilometers. Weighing less than 7 kilograms, Hydrus is equipped with advanced features such as bright lights, a camera, and an AI-powered image recognition system.
Hydrus is designed to identify marine species and other underwater objects. Its main mission is to Assess coral healthidentify areas affected by bleaching and investigate underwater meadows where corals thrive. Drones will also autonomously map the ocean floor, providing valuable data to preserve these fragile ecosystems.
Emergence of biomimetic marine robots
Hydrus is part of a new wave of underwater robotics aimed at protecting marine ecosystems. Many of these innovations take inspiration from marine life itself and employ biomimetic designs to improve efficiency. Underwater drones modeled after turtles, jellyfish, and tuna have been developed to navigate and operate more efficiently than traditional robots. These machines also monitor water quality and biodiversity.
Additionally, researchers are exploring the following possibilities: soft biodegradable robot It is made from algae. These environmentally friendly devices could play an important role in understanding and protecting underwater habitats that are increasingly threatened by climate change, pollution, and overfishing.
Readers interested in other environmental applications of robotics, including those unrelated to marine ecosystems, are encouraged to consider the use of robots and artificial intelligence in waste recycling.
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