Are Robotic Fish Coming to a Beach Near You?
by Paul McGinniss; photo provided
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Robotic Fish, developed by Great Britain’s University of Essex, will monitor water quality, send data via wi-fi to a control center, and ‘swim’ back to a battery charging base.
Robotic Fish, developed by Great Britain’s University of Essex, will monitor water quality, send data via wi-fi to a control center, and ‘swim’ back to a battery charging base.
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Skinny dippers and beach lovers among us may not be safe underwater from prying eyes, now that Robotic Fish—developed by Great Britain’s University of Essex—could be coming to a shore near you.

We’ve all heard of bird-like drones that fly through the sky capturing images to send back to their operators. Flying drones have some seafaring company now, with the development of this $30,000 fish which monitors water quality. The initial launch is scheduled for a bay in northern Spain; data from the fish will help create a 3-D map of pollution in the bay.

The fish have sonar, are about five feet long, and have chemical sensors which will collect data on oxygen levels and detect oil and other contaminants. They can communicate with each other and, when on the surface, transmit data via wi-fi to a control center. They’re even smart enough to swim back to a charging station when battery power runs low.

Just when I thought it was safe to go back in the water! I always hoped that once I was underwater no one could see the excess flab due to the recent lack of Pilates sessions. Now that peeping fish might be heading toward a nearby beach, I might have to re-up that gym membership and start taking Yoga classes again. Welcome to the future, where water could be free of pollutants but perhaps a one-piece bathing suit will be in order.
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