From Coral Nurseries to Ocean Patrols: Robots for Marine Conservation

In an Australian laboratory, a small coral nursery is home to a tireless robotic arm that works around the clock. This machine feeds, cleans, and nurtures young corals. Once the corals are ready to be introduced back into the ocean, an underwater drone takes over, monitoring their health and the condition of the reefs. This partnership between two robotic systems highlights the potential of technology to tackle environmental challenges. With climate change threatening coral survival, these innovations offer a glimmer of hope. In this article, we delve into these advancements and showcase a video featuring some of the most impressive marine robots to date.

A coral nursery with a robotic caretaker

Before exploring the cutting-edge robotic solutions aimed at regenerating Australia’s coral reefs, it’s essential to understand the challenges these ecosystems face. Corals, particularly those in the Great Barrier Reef, are under siege. Climate change has led to mass bleaching events, where corals lose their nutrient-providing algae. Adding to the crisis are pollution from agricultural runoff, plastics, overfishing, and coastal development. Intensified tropical storms and invasive species like the crown-of-thorns starfish further threaten their survival.

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. Each coral must be fed, cleaned, and moved to larger tanks as it grows. Scaling up to regenerate millions of corals highlights the enormity of the task.

Enter robotics. The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), an Australian government agency, is exploring innovative ways to automate this work. Beyond Coral, a foundation committed to reef restoration, has deployed a robot named CHARM (Coral Care Automated Circuit Machine). CSIRO contributed to CHARM by designing an advanced robotic arm capable of operating non-stop.

This arm, equipped with soft grippers, delicately handles coral tissue while being strong enough to lift and transfer corals to new tanks. Developed using generative AI, the arm’s design has been optimized for efficiency and durability. It is 3D printed with materials resistant to saltwater corrosion, including hard polymers and soft rubber. Researchers hope similar technology can one day be used to plant adult corals directly onto reefs.

A robot that monitors coral health

The role of robots in coral regeneration extends beyond laboratory cultivation. Recently, an Australian company unveiled Hydrus, a lightweight underwater drone designed for coral monitoring. This innovative drone is capable of descending to depths of 300 meters and operating within a nine-kilometer range. Weighing under seven kilograms, Hydrus is equipped with advanced features that include high-intensity lights, cameras, and an AI-powered image recognition system.

Hydrus has been designed to identify marine species and other underwater objects. Its primary mission is to assess coral health, locating areas affected by bleaching and surveying underwater meadows where corals thrive. The drone also autonomously maps the seafloor, providing invaluable data for the preservation of these fragile ecosystems.

 

 

The emergence of biomimetic marine robots

Hydrus is part of a new wave of underwater robotics aimed at protecting marine ecosystems. Many of these innovations are inspired by marine life itself, employing biomimetic designs to improve efficiency. Aquatic drones modeled after turtles, jellyfish, and tuna have been developed to navigate and operate more effectively than traditional robots. These machines also monitor water quality and biodiversity.

In addition, researchers are exploring the potential of soft, biodegradable robots made from algae. These environmentally friendly devices could play a critical role in understanding and preserving underwater habitats that are increasingly threatened by climate change, pollution, and overfishing.

For readers interested in other environmental applications of robotics, including those unrelated to marine ecosystems, we recommend exploring the use of robots and artificial intelligence in waste recycling.

 

Source:

• New Atlas