Robotic ‘fish’ take to the seas to catch pollution

In a bid to track sea pollution by mimicking how fish navigate and work together, scientists have moved their robotic fish from the lab to the sea. The technology could reduce the time it takes to detect a pollutant from weeks to just seconds, scientists said. It could also aid underwater security, diver monitoring and search and rescue efforts.

The fish—5 feet long and costing about $31,600 each—are designed to swim like real fish and have sensors to pick up pollutants. They swim independently but coordinate their actions and send data back to a shore station more than a half mile away. Chemical sensors fitted to the fish permit real-time, in-situ analysis, rather than the current method of sample collection and dispatch to a shore-based laboratory. Through artificial intelligence software, the fish can avoid obstacles, map their location and return to base when their eight-hour batteries run low.

Do your part to change the world

It only takes one person to make a difference, and simple acts can make a big difference in a global landscape. Change can start in your own backyard. Inspired by the our compassionate teachers from across the country who applied for our Impact Costa Rica trip, we invite you to participate in Impact Your Town. Are you involved in a community project to support the environment or influence your local area in a positive way? We'd love to hear about it! Post a YouTube video on our Facebook wall explaining your project or, better yet, showing you in action. You could win $250!