A team of researchers at Binghamton University, State University of New York, has developed a cutting-edge aquatic robot that operates autonomously, harnessing the power of bacterial biobatteries. Dubbed the “bug,” this self-powered device represents a significant step forward in the field of aquatic robotics, with potential applications in environmental monitoring, marine data collection, and national defense. The innovation comes as part of ongoing efforts to address the challenges posed by aquatic environments, which cover 71% of the Earth’s surface and present unique logistical hurdles for technology deployment.
The emergence of this technology aligns with the broader vision of the “Internet of Things” (IoT), where autonomous nodes are expected to integrate seamlessly into daily life by 2035. As part of this vision, the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has launched the Ocean of Things program to explore how autonomous devices can collect and transmit data from marine environments. The self-powered aquatic robot developed by Binghamton researchers is poised to contribute significantly to these efforts, offering a mobile alternative to the stationary “smart floats” currently in use.
The team behind this innovative technology is led by Professor Seokheun “Sean” Choi, a prominent figure in the field of electrical and computer engineering at Binghamton University’s Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science. Over the past decade, Choi has been developing bacteria-powered biobatteries with support from the Office of Naval Research. These biobatteries leverage bacterial spores to generate energy, offering a potential shelf life of up to 100 years. This technology’s resilience makes it particularly well-suited for the challenging conditions often encountered in ocean environments.
At the heart of the aquatic robot’s power system is a Janus interface, which features hydrophilic and hydrophobic sides. This interface allows the device to draw nutrients from the surrounding water, fueling the production of bacterial spores that generate power. As Professor Choi explains, “When the environment is favorable for the bacteria, they become vegetative cells and generate power, but when the conditions are not favorable — for example, it’s really cold or the nutrients are not available — they go back to spores. In that way, we can extend the operational life.”
In initial tests, the Binghamton team’s robots have demonstrated power generation close to 1 milliwatt. This level of power is sufficient to drive the robot’s mechanical movements and operate sensors capable of tracking various environmental parameters, including water temperature, pollution levels, the movements of commercial vessels and aircraft, and the behaviors of aquatic animals. The ability to deploy these robots wherever they are needed represents a significant upgrade over current stationary sensor technologies, offering greater flexibility and coverage.
Beyond its civilian and scientific applications, this technology holds immense potential for military use, particularly in the realm of naval operations and intelligence gathering. The self-powered aquatic robots could be deployed to create a mesh network capable of coordinating with one another, providing real-time data on enemy movements and environmental conditions. Their ability to transport equipment and potentially weapons offers new tactical possibilities, such as approaching enemy shores undetected and deploying necessary assets en masse.
In the future, these aquatic robots could play a pivotal role in strategic military operations, allowing the U.S. military to transport weapons through the water covertly. By creating a distributed network of autonomous nodes, the robots could coordinate and communicate to carry out complex missions, including surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeted deployment of resources. The combination of stealth, adaptability, and energy efficiency makes these robots a valuable asset in modern military strategy.
The development of this technology marks a promising advance in the field of aquatic robotics, with the potential to revolutionize how data is collected and utilized across vast oceanic spaces. The Binghamton team is now focused on refining the technology further, exploring which bacterial strains are best suited to energy production under different ocean conditions. As Professor Choi notes, “We used very common bacterial cells, but we need to study further to know what is actually living in those areas of the ocean.” The team is also considering the potential of using machine learning to identify optimal combinations of bacterial species, enhancing power density and sustainability.
This innovation offers a glimpse into the future of autonomous technology and its potential to address some of the most pressing challenges in marine environments. By enabling efficient data collection and monitoring, the self-powered aquatic robot developed by Binghamton University stands to benefit a wide range of stakeholders, from defense agencies and environmental scientists to industries reliant on marine data. As these technologies continue to evolve, they promise to play an increasingly important role in shaping our understanding and management of the world’s oceans. The potential for military application further underscores the strategic significance of this technology in ensuring national security and operational readiness.
