Environment

Robotic fish to be released to test pollution in our water

by Amy Judd | March 19, 2009 at 11:45 am

228 views | 31 Recommendations | 6 comments

Robot fish are set to be released into rivers, lakes and seas around the world as part of a three year project based in Spain, that will help scientists determine the level of pollution found in the water.

The fish will move like a real fish does, but is equipped with sensors to detect pollution in the water. They will then transmit their data throughWi-Fi when they rest to 'charge their batteries' about every eight hours.

It has been funded by the European Commission and co-ordinated by BMT Group Ltd, an independent engineering and risk management consultancy.

Rory Doyle, senior research scientist at BMT Group, described the project as a "world first", adding that scientists involved in designing the fish were using "cutting-edge" methods to detect and reduce water pollution

The fish cost around twenty thousand pounds each and are about the size of a seal. They can swim at a rate of one metre per second.

These fish will do a similar job to these robot fish that track oil spills.

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Jordan Yerman

at 12:02 on March 19th, 2009

I want one.. with a saddle on it.

(The video depicts a much smaller roomba-fish, though: not quite seal-sized)

Barry Artiste

at 15:52 on March 19th, 2009

Wow, good idea, and they are fast too to escape any fish that may have romantic inclinations too.,

Roy C

at 17:55 on March 19th, 2009

Amazing video. Charlie the Tuna got outsourced!

Pythiian1

at 18:42 on March 19th, 2009

What a great idea. Nice piece, Amy

israeli.agent

at 19:09 on March 19th, 2009

I hope this robofish is programmed note to take a bait. I really dislike the taste of plastic food...hehehe...

On serious note, a good way to get accurate information about the pollution levels.The big questions is what are we gonna do if we find out that water is indeed polluted...?

.Agent.