Robots - present and future

Lion fish, also known as Pterois is a threat not only to the delicate system of coral reefs, but also for divers. Its poison makes it difficult to grip, but groups of young scientists in Worcester Polytechnic Institute have devised a solution to the problem: robotic guards. They have created an autonomous robot that can catch these pests without the need for additional operator.

The little bot is attached to a larger underwater robot and relies on computer vision, powered with a database of thousands of images to detect species and killing them with one of the eight you spike. The Nabučenata copy brings out the fish to the surface. The machine is prepared to withstand the hostile ocean environment – it is protected from corrosion by salt water and there is an aerial camera that lets its floats.

The team is next task is to create a navigation system that allows the robot to design a 3D box for search purposes. When and if that happens, the robot can become a valuable defender of reefs, which allows people to not commit themselves personally, unless there is no other way.