Meet China’s latest innovation in marine conservation: a bio-inspired submersible shaped like a manta ray! 🤯 Developed by researchers at Northwestern Polytechnical University, this soft-bodied robot glides through the ocean to monitor coral reefs, blending cutting-edge tech with nature’s genius. 🌊🔬
Nature Meets Robotics 🐠
Since 2006, the team has studied marine life movement to create submersibles mimicking real ocean dwellers. Their latest design, modeled after manta rays, tackles threats like the crown-of-thorns starfish—a coral-killing predator in the South China Sea. Smaller versions aid education and reef checks, while larger bots dive deeper for data collection. 📊
Shark-Proof? 🦈
Will sharks mistake these robots for snacks? Professor Cao Yong says ‘no’ — the 4-meter-wide submersible is too big for most predators. Playful young whales, though? 🤔 They might swat it. The team uses sound deterrents and a special hydrogel coating to fend off curious creatures and microbial hitchhikers. 🛡️
Guardians of the Reef 🌏
These robots are more than sci-fi eye candy. By tracking coral health and invasive species, they’re key players in saving marine ecosystems. As Cao puts it: ‘It’s about protecting our oceans for future generations.’ 💙 Dive into the future of eco-tech! 🚀
