A small autonomous underwater robot developed by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution has helped scientists identify areas of unusually high biological activity on coral reefs.
The robot called CUREE (Curious Underwater Robot for Ecosystem Exploration), combines cameras with hydrophones to detect and locate marine life through both visual observations and underwater sounds.
During field trials at Joel’s Shoal in the US Virgin Islands between 2022 and 2024, CUREE repeatedly identified a biological hotspot around a large pillar coral structure. Visual surveys found that fish densities near the structure were nearly 25 times higher than elsewhere on the reef.
The robot was also able to track biological sounds from distances of up to 80 metres in controlled experiments. Researchers said the ability to use sound to locate areas of interest before examining them with cameras could allow autonomous vehicles to cover larger and harder to reach reef areas.
Scientists hope the technology can eventually support long term monitoring of poorly mapped coral reefs which face pressures from warming waters, disease and pollution.