Scientists built a robot fish to spy on hard-to-find ocean animals

Capturing marine life up close is tricky, but this robot could be a novel solution.

Researchers from MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory have developed a soft, robot fish called SoFi, which can swim on its own and is lifelike in its movements as to not disturb other sea animals.

Made of silicon rubber and flexible plastic, SoFi can swim, handle currents, snap photos and videos at depths of more than 50 feet (15 metres) for up to 40 minutes at a time.

These results are based on test dives conducted in Fiji's Rainbow Reef, and were documented in the journal Science Robotics.

A diver controls the fish from a waterproofed Super Nintendo-like controller, allowing it to move in a straight line, turn, or dive up or down. The diver can also control SoFi's speed, and allow it to make specific moves or turns.

Unlike other autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), SoFi isn't tethered to a boat or powered by a bulky propellor.

It's powered by a lithium polymer battery, the same that can be found in consumer smartphones. To swim, SoFi makes a side-to-side motion with the help of a motor that pushes water into two balloon-like chambers, making the fish bend and flex.

"We are excited about the possibility of being able to use a system like this to get closer to marine life than humans can get on their own," the paper's lead author Robert Katzschmann said in a statement.

SoFi is slated for further improvements, with Katzschmann's team looking to increase speed by improving its pump system and modifying the design of its body and tail.