Ok, so I know I went robot hunting last week, but allow me this one overlap. Because this is a robotic fish which is currently in development, in the UK, and could actually help save the environment while looking incredibly cool all at the same time.
BMT Group Ltd have joined forces with a team of researchers at the University of Essex and created a robotic fish which will actually detect levels of pollution in sea water. It mimics the movements of real fish, so won’t be out of place in the water and will be able to record pollution levels much more effectively that has been possible in the past. The fish are totally independent, meaning that they are not remote controlled but can navigate waterways entirely on their own, and are pre-programmed to return to an underwater charging hub once their batteries get low.
They look remarkably realistic, but hidden in their scales are a number of different chemical sensors used to detect various types of pollution, and the data then gets transferred back to receivers on land via wi-fi.
Each robotic fish can move at a speed of one meter per second, run for about eight hours and is 1.5 meters in length (about the size of a seal) so they’re probably not going blend in with Nemo and chums, which I hope doesn’t lead to them being chowed down on by sharks in the trial run in Gijon, Spain when the first five are to be released for a three year project. However finding more innovative ways to really get to the heart of environmental issues can only be a good thing and it’s hoped that the robotic fish will pay off and become much more widely used in seas, rivers and lakes.
There’s even talk of an economical benefit by adapting them to check underwater pipes for cracks, something which costs energy companies dearly if not detected early.
Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be able to get one for my Dad’s pond on Fathers Day just yet. Each robotic fish costs £20,000 to make. Ok for investigating the worlds pollution problems, but Daddy will just have to make do with the reports coming back from the cat.
Read more at BMT
2 thoughts on “And you thought it was safe to go back in the water…”
Wow this is amazing, how realistic.
I can see how utilities and energy companies could benefit from this technology, they can get robots like this to detect fractures in pipes and proactively carry out repair work.
£20k though, hmmm, yeah, I think I’ll continue saving for the car I want.
Good find Ruth..
It is really a incredible it is look like natural and i appreciate this invention it will help in future to take good images in sea we can use them robotic fish which is great