How Robots Discovered 30+ New Sea Creatures

Underwater robots are transforming the understanding of life in the ocean's deepest regions. With the help of an aquatic ROV, scientists have discovered over 30 new species of ocean life that have never been seen before.

They are just a few of the incredible discoveries waiting at the bottom of the sea. Robots are at the forefront of ocean exploration efforts like this, helping scientists discover new species, find historical artifacts and study climate change.

Robots Explore the Abyssal Plains of the Pacific

In July 2022, scientists from Britain’s Natural History Museum announced an incredible discovery. With the help of underwater robots, they discovered over 30 potentially new species of aquatic life. While some of the species have been seen in photos before, this is the first time scientists collected specimens for most of them.

Acquiring specimens of these particular species isn’t easy. All of them are from the Abyssal Plains of the Pacific Ocean, a region that begins 10,000 feet below sea level. Water pressure and extreme dark and cold at this depth make in-person human exploration nearly impossible.

Yet, the deepest regions of the ocean are rife with possibilities for discoveries. In fact, scientists estimate remain undiscovered. Humans have mapped less of the ocean floor than the Moon and Mars. The key to exploration in this extreme environment is robots.

The team at the Natural History Museum used remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to explore the Abyssal Plains. The robots were equipped with cameras to record video and photo footage. They also had claw-like grippers for interacting with their environment, including collecting specimens from the ocean floor. A total of 55 individual samples were collected during the project, including 48 different species.

Types of Ocean Exploration Robots

Robots are ideally suited for exploring places like the ocean floor. As a result, many different aquatic robots have developed over the years. Most fall into one of a few main categories, including ROVs, humanoid robots and biomimetic robots.

Underwater ROVs

Underwater ROVs are by far the most common type of ocean exploration robot. There are four main classes of ROVs — work, light work, observation and micro/mini. Most ROVs for deep sea exploration are work class, designed for the intense pressures of the ocean floor.

ROVs come in various sizes, allowing scientists to choose one that is best suited to the undersea region they want to explore. ROVs typically have at least one camera, an underwater propulsion system and often various types of sensors. For example, some ROVs include sonar, the same ability dolphins use to detect things underwater. Sonar is especially helpful at extreme depths since it can help the robot navigate the ocean floor's total darkness.

Many ROVs also have a tether, an important cable for several purposes. The tether is frequently used for communication between the robot and the remote operator. It can relay video footage back to a boat on the surface. Additionally, the tether acts as a lifeline that the operator’s crew can use to retrieve the robot in an emergency.

As communications technology advances, some new ROVs are emerging that can operate without a tether. AI is also helping to automate ROV exploration, like an underwater equivalent to autonomous drones. ROVs have long been at the forefront of deep-sea exploration and continue to connect scientists with incredible discoveries on the ocean floor.

Humanoid Robots

One new class of underwater robots looks eerily familiar — humanoid robots. These new bots are designed to resemble human SCUBA divers in both form and function. The human body may not be well-suited for exploring the ocean floor, but the way the human body operates is an excellent source of inspiration for engineers.

Arguably the today is OceanOneK, developed by students and researchers at Stanford University. Most of the robot resembles the upper body of a human. Two cameras act as OneK’s “eyes” and its arms have hand-like grippers with mechanical fingers. The rear half of the robot replaces legs with an underwater propulsion system.

The twin robotic grippers are a big part of what makes OceanOneK unique. The hand-like design gives the robot a level of dexterity that’s invaluable underwater. The grippers even have haptic feedback, meaning remote operators can feel what the robot’s grippers feel. OceanOneK has already explored several shipwrecks and sunken planes, including some never touched by humans since sinking.

Biomimetic Robots

Where humanoid robots take inspiration from people, biomimetic robots take inspiration from wildlife. Engineers study the biological structure of animals to develop robots that mimic those animals. This design approach allows robots to utilize capabilities optimized for specific environments over millions of years of natural evolution.

Biomimetic robots can be especially effective for underwater exploration since the mechanics of underwater movement are so different from dry land movement. Things like wheels and legs are not ideal or even functional for underwater action. Drawing inspiration from fish, squids and other aquatic animals produces more efficient and innovative results.

For example, researchers at Sichuan University in China are that cleans up microplastics in the ocean. The robot is made of a material inspired by clam shells and moves using the wiggling mechanics of a fish. It’s also solar powered, so it can run entirely on renewable energy.

This robot is one of a growing number in development to address the issue of ocean pollution. Biomimetic robots are ideal for automating the removal of pollutants from ocean environments. Scientists and engineers are also developing AI algorithms for finding pollution hotspots, identifying pollution in the water and automating clean-up robots.

Applications for Underwater Robots

What else are underwater robots used for? Exploration is one of the most exciting applications, but there are many more. A few key uses include climate change research, deep-sea mining and underwater archaeology.

Climate Change Research

One of the most critical applications for underwater robots today is climate change research and initiatives. Climate change and pollution — particularly plastic waste — have heavily impacted the world’s waterways. Studying and resolving these effects is vital to preserving aquatic ecosystems.

Numerous underwater robots are on the job. For example, the nonprofit Ocean Cleanup has developed multiple robots for cleaning pollution from waterways. One is even fully autonomous and solar powered, designed for collecting trash in rivers. Robots like this could go a long way toward cleaning up aquatic environments if deployed on a large scale.

Deep Sea Mining

Interest in deep-sea mining has been on the rise over recent years. There could be valuable resources buried under the ocean floor, such as fossil fuels and metals. However, before mining companies can safely begin operations, scientists must ensure deep-sea mining efforts won’t harm local ecosystems.

So much of the ocean floor remains unexplored. A deep sea mining program could potentially trigger the extinction of species scientists don’t even know exist yet. Underwater robots like ROVs are crucial to ensuring this doesn’t happen, helping researchers explore and understand the depths of the oceans. This will allow scientists to help deep-sea mining companies choose locations that will have a minimal impact on wildlife.

Underwater Archaeology

Many secrets and insights about human history are hidden deep under the surface of the ocean. Archaeologists can often use SCUBA diving to survey things like ruins and shipwrecks. However, there are frequently cases where archaeological sites are too deep or too dangerous for divers to explore safely.

In these cases, underwater robots are increasingly being used to help make historic discoveries. Robots also provide the added benefits of special sensors that detect things human eyes might miss. Underwater robots have already helped on numerous archaeological projects, including from buried shipwrecks.

Making Discoveries With Underwater Robots

From exploring the ocean floor to fighting climate change, underwater robots are helping scientists, explorers and historians change the world. ROVs are the most popular type of underwater robot in use today, but humanoid and biomimetic robots are on the rise, as well. These robots are vital to helping humans explore and understand the mysteries and wonders of the ocean.