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Robofish to hunt down water pollution

19 March 2009 6 Comments

Posted by Sherwin

robofish

British scientists have designed a robotic fish capable of detecting water pollution.

A shoal of the carp-shaped fish, equipped with sensors, will be released into the sea off Spain to track down the sources of pollution, such as leaks from vessels or chemicals in the water.

The 1.5 meter-long robots will then transmit their data through Wi-Fi technology when they dock to charge their batteries which last around eight hours. These life-like creatures have their own navigational abilities, meaning they can move without remote control.

Five of the robots, worth some $29,000 each, are being released into the Bay of Biscay at Gijon in northern Spain as part of a three-year joint project between BMT Group and researchers at Essex University in England.

Professor Huosheng Hu from the university said: “I am incredibly excited about this project. We are designing these fish very carefully to ensure that they will be able to detect changes in environmental conditions in the port and pick up on early signs of pollution spreading, for example by locating a small leak in a vessel.

“The hope is that this will prevent potentially hazardous discharges at sea, as the leak would undoubtedly get worse over time if not located.”

See how an early model of the robotic fish swims…

[Via Telegraph]

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  • harmonsmith

    The chief source which has contributed to the water pollution is the human beings. Human beings needs the water at par and though a big contributor in the water pollution. The sweet water in the form of rivers and ponds are so polluted that it has come to the level of extinction. Industries are the biggest source of water pollution. Who are releasing large amount of hazardous waste into our water resources. In order to do proper treatment of this waste water consultant like JNB must be contacted

  • harmonsmith

    Water pollution is a concern for the world. It is not something limited to poor nations. Many people think that only poor countries suffer from the lack of clean drinking water and pollution of water. That is far fro the truth.I think the biggest source of water pollution is Industries. Who are releasing large amount of hazardous waste into our water resources. In order to do proper treatment of this waste water consultant like JNB must be contacted

  • harmonsmith

    I think the biggest source of water pollution is Industries. Who are releasing large amount of hazardous waste into our water resources. In order to do proper treatment of this waste water consultant like JNB must be contacted

  • harmonsmith

    I think the biggest source of water pollution is Industries. Who are releasing large amount of hazardous waste into our water resources. In order to do proper treatment of this waste water consultant like JNB must be contacted

  • harmonsmith

    I think the biggest source of water pollution is Industries. Who are releasing large amount of hazardous waste into our water resources. In order to do proper treatment of this waste water consultant like JNB must be contacted

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