Intelligent dual-use drones will rebuild coral reefs

Norwegian engineers have built underwater drones with AI systems that will aid in coral reef reproduction. Equipped with artificial intelligence, the drones will identify defects and independently plan reef fields. Hydrus underwater robots recently identified fields of extinct coral on one of the world’s southernmost coral reefs. Researchers from Australia have also planned the restoration of dying coral reefs in Norway.

Underwater drones, previously used for inspecting underwater installations, can now be used to restore coral reefs. Hydrus can be operated without wired control and operate autonomously. It does not require the support of large vessels or specialized crews. Hydrus can inspect submarine cables, oil, and gas pipelines. It can be used to assess the performance of underwater hydraulic engineering works before and after their completion. And now, another important feature is available. Protecting and restoring the living marine environment is a new function that the Norwegians have already tested with scientists from Australia.

Drones to the Rescue of the Oceans

However, scientists involved in the protection and restoration of the natural ocean environment have also become interested in drones. The ocean is an extremely complex and demanding natural environment, and restoring life is extremely difficult, demanding, and expensive. Even at shallow depths, increased pressure, lack of internet access, and lack of GPS are a significant challenge. In such situations, the only means of communication is sound.

Existing equipment designed for ocean exploration typically requires a large vessel equipped with specialized equipment, cranes, lifting gantry cranes, a qualified crew, and professional divers. Above all, it cannot operate in all waters. This makes collecting data from the seabed expensive, inconsistent, and often ineffective.

– We have seen a revolution in the aerial drone industry. 10-15 years ago, only qualified experts could fly drones. Today, drones are simple and reliable enough for anyone to use—that’s why we see them in countless industries,” said Xavier Orr, CEO and co-founder of Advanced Navigation, when unveiling its latest marine drone.

He explained two years ago: “When we look at underwater technology, we want to see the same thing happen. Currently, underwater vehicles require specialized knowledge and training to be used effectively. We developed Hydrus to give everyone access to professional underwater imagery and data, opening up new opportunities in the ocean, whether it’s inspecting offshore wind farms, capturing underwater video, or monitoring coral reefs.”

Source: Advanced Navigation

It’s important to remember that oceans produce more than half the world’s oxygen and absorb 50 times more carbon dioxide than our atmosphere. They are fundamental to the functioning of our entire ecosystem, every human, marine and land animal, and every plant. This was emphasized on virtually every panel of the UNOC3 conference on ocean conservation, which took place in Nice in May of this year. We wrote about it here.

Sustainable use of the oceans is crucial to the health of our planet, so much so that the United Nations has declared 2021–2030 the Decade of Oceans. To enable informed decision-making regarding the sustainable use of ocean resources, data is needed on a scale and scale larger than ever before. Marine clusters are also being widely involved in the process of ocean conservation. We wrote about this here.

Źródło: Advanced Navigation 

Drones “track” ocean damage
The autonomous Hydrus drone is equipped to determine the reasons for such drastic changes in the oceans. These include CO2 absorption, reef bleaching, emerging diseases, loss of marine life and biodiversity, coastal erosion, and declines in fish stocks. Advanced Navigation argues that “regularly collecting high-resolution data will help us assess the scale of the damage to the underwater environment. We will then be able to respond proactively, constructively, and decisively. Together with our research partners, we hope to discover how to restore and protect the oceans for future generations.”

“The Minderoo Foundation has made a strategic investment in this program as part of its mission to engage the best science and the latest technologies in ocean conservation,” said Dr. Tony Worby, Director of Ocean Development and Planetary Portfolio at the Minderoo Foundation.

Worby emphasizes that “Having technology like Hydrus is one way we can support our researchers and marine scientists with access to cutting-edge technologies that put them at the forefront of tackling the greatest threats to our global ocean.”

A marine biologist prepares coral fragments for delivery to a research vessel by drone. Source: Ava Singh, for ebiodiversity.ca

Video of the process of using an underwater drone to monitor corals:

“Modern drone technology has revolutionized our ability to monitor and map coral reef ecosystems with unprecedented precision. Using high-resolution cameras and advanced sensors, drones conduct detailed aerial surveys, creating accurate, three-dimensional maps of reef structures. These maps are crucial for understanding reef health, identifying areas requiring immediate intervention, and tracking recovery progress,” explains Ava Singh, a Canadian environmental writer and marine sustainability advocate deeply committed to protecting oceans and coastal communities (via arinebiodiversity.ca).

The drones utilize multispectral imaging technology, capturing both visible and infrared light spectrums, helping scientists identify stressed coral colonies before visible signs of coral death appear. This early detection system, combined with advanced marine species tracking, allows reef restoration teams to quickly respond to potential threats.

Data collected by drones includes coral range, species distribution, and growth patterns. Advanced artificial intelligence algorithms process this information to create detailed health assessments and predict potential challenges. This technology also allows teams to monitor water quality parameters and temperature fluctuations, providing a comprehensive picture of reef health.

“Regular drone monitoring has become an essential tool for measuring the effectiveness of restoration efforts, enabling the tracking of changes in reef structure and biodiversity over time. This data-driven approach ensures that restoration efforts are targeted and effective, while also providing valuable information for future conservation initiatives,” emphasizes Ava Singh.

Źródło: Advanced Navigation

Drones “Plant” Coral
Marine biologists and engineers in Norway have partnered to deploy a fleet of autonomous underwater drones specifically designed to restore damaged coral reefs. This task will be accomplished by planting biodegradable corals with virtually surgical (horticultural) precision.

Each drone is equipped with artificial intelligence-assisted navigation and advanced robotic arms. The drones search damaged reef sections, analyze environmental data, and select optimal planting sites. They deposit coral polyps encased in nutrient-rich capsules. This solution will accelerate the growth and survival of the “seedlings.”

The device designers emphasize that “This approach eliminates the labor-intensive nature of manual reef restoration and allows for rapid coverage of vast underwater areas. The drones operate 24/7, adapting to water currents, temperature fluctuations, and the presence of predators.”

Preliminary results indicate a 400% increase in coral colonization efficiency. ICG’s rapid restoration attracts fish and promotes marine biodiversity through regenerating reefs. The program is part of a broader Norwegian ocean conservation initiative aimed at protecting fisheries and combating the effects of climate change.

It emphasizes that “This autonomous reef-building technology could be exported worldwide, providing a scalable solution to the global coral crisis.”

Each drone represents the “space technology” of marine robotics. Its streamlined design is ideal. The vehicle is controlled by artificial intelligence and equipped with complex, multi-jointed arms. The drones “float” above the seafloor. They are positioned using onboard sonar and real-time vision systems. These systems are supported by a system of environmental sensors that allow them to assess the condition of the reef, locate damaged areas, and select ideal planting zones.

Once the reef planting site is selected, drones deploy specially designed biodegradable pods. Each pod contains live coral polyps suspended in a nutrient-rich matrix. The entire system is attached directly to the rocky substrate. This mimics the way corals naturally anchor themselves, but speeds up the process tenfold.