Nobody Here But Us Fish

Werner Heisenberg once noted that “the very act of observing disturbs the system." While he was speaking in the context of the observer effect in quantum mechanics, these words also ring true for a number of other endeavors that seek knowledge about the natural world. From social sciences to ecological studies, the recognition that observation itself can introduce changes and influence outcomes is crucial. Whether it's the behavior of individuals under observation or the delicate balance of an ecosystem, the mere presence of an observer can evoke a response, altering the natural state of the system. Heisenberg's insightful remark reminds us of the interconnectedness between the observer and the observed, urging us to approach scientific inquiry with humility and an awareness of the intricate dynamics at play.

One area in particular where observation creates a disruption is in the study of marine life. Propellor-based underwater vehicles are noisy and unnatural in appearance. Moreover, the wake that they create not only alters the behavior of marine creatures, but it can also be destructive, causing damage to corals and other habitats. Observing animals under these conditions is something like watching humans as a tank barrels through a city’s streets and expecting them to act normally.

This is a big problem, because understanding oceanic environments is a critical first step in helping us to maintain their health. The incredible diversity of marine life plays a vital role in regulating the Earth's climate and sustaining ecosystems worldwide. These magnificent bodies of water also act as crucial carbon sinks, absorbing a substantial amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Moreover, oceans support countless livelihoods, serving as a source of food, transportation, and economic opportunities for millions of people around the globe.

We may soon get a clearer picture of what really happens in the ocean’s depths thanks to a robotic fish named Belle. Engineers at ETH Zurich in Switzerland have created this AI-powered robot to collect information about marine life in a minimally invasive manner. Belle is silent, and looks and swims like a real fish to collect data while fitting in with the locals.

Weighing in at a bit over 20 pounds, Belle is powered by artificial intelligence algorithms for navigating beneath the ocean’s surface. The robot is equipped with a high-resolution camera to capture video, and is also outfitted with gear to collect environmental DNA samples from marine organisms for later analysis. It is possible for Belle to act completely autonomously for about two hours at a time, before swimming up to the surface and transmitting GPS coordinates so that it can be picked up for a battery charge.

Now, painting a fish face on a traditional submersible vehicle is not going to fool anything, so a novel design was created for Belle. For propulsion, a silicone fin was developed. Cavities exist on both sides of this fin such that water can be silently pumped in and out, causing it to move back and forth with a natural motion. The rest of the robot was also designed to look like a fish, and, to a human at least, the effect is convincing enough to make one do a double take.

The oceans are often referred to as Earth’s last frontier because we still have so much to learn about them. Perhaps robots like Belle will one day help us to gain a much better understanding of these critical ecosystems.