Underwater robot swarms could 'overwhelm' military targets

Swarms of a new underwater robot could “overwhelm” military targets or monitor marine life.

Australian-American robotics company Aquabotix has released the SwarmDiver, a miniature surface and underwater vehicle designed to operate in groups as “single, coordinated entities”.

Human operators on the surface control the groups of 75cm-long bots, which can dive to 50m to collect information. Weighing just 1.7kg, they can travel at up to 4.3 knots and have a battery life of 2.5 hours. 

“Maritime swarming is rapidly becoming an area of focus for naval forces globally,” said Whitney Million, chief executive of Aquabotix, which unveiled the product today with the tagline Build Your Swarm. 

With GPS, wireless data feedback and the ability to add additional sensors, the robots are suited for military intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, said Million.

Million also claimed they are suitable for “sophisticated, coordinated assaults through tracking, trailing and overwhelming targets”.

Harbour management, research and oceanography applications are also possible.  

A video posted online by Aquabotix showed the machines surrounding a boat, travelling in convoy and diving to the sea floor. The robots also travel through surf and are deployed by being dropped into the water.

Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.