The world's oceans, lakes and rivers are under increasing pressure from climate change, growing demand, urbanization, and pollution, threatening their ability to sustain life.
"Without better data to understand the health of increasingly stressed waterways, the fight to save these most precious resources will be ineffective," said the co-founder of a technology company. "Virtually every waterway is polluted to an extent where the ecosystem just can't balance back anymore," he explains.
The company is aiming to fill that information gap using fishlike robots that collect data from underwater environments. Powered by batteries, they are designed to look and swim like fish. The standard version is about 1.3 meters long and weighs 30 kilograms and can be equipped with cameras and sensors to measure oxygen, salinity (盐度) and pH levels.
The founder was motivated to build the robots after his eight-year-old daughter learned about the ocean crisis and asked him to help protect the seas. He says it's important that the robots can integrate into natural habitats—swimming among other creatures without disturbing them and moving around obstacles smoothly.
The company has put its technology to use in different regions. It has operated in both fresh and saltwater, near dams, and in harbors and fish farms, checking things like water quality and fish health and collecting data wherever they go. The CEO of the company said its technology could be used in the region for water management, sustainable aquaculture (水产养殖) operations, and monitoring the health of corals.
Still, the company has some blocks to clear before its fishlike robots will be seen cruising (游弋) through the world's waterways. "We need capital to commercialize," said the CEO, "but there are very few people who are willing to actually support those that are doing frontier technologies in the waterways." The founder hopes more funding will follow. He said, "Investors should absolutely wake up."
