Chinese engineers have developed a bionic robot fish equipped with sensors and artificial intelligence, capable of swimming like a real animal and operating autonomously. This technology represents an advance in the race for underwater dominance and could transform ocean monitoring, exploration, and surveillance.
On May 14, 2025, professors and students at Wuhan University in Wuhan, China, unveiled a 53-centimetre biomimetic underwater robot. This device was developed for projects protecting the Yangtze River, according to the Wuhan Science and Technology Department.
The machine mimics the shape and swimming motion of a real fish, using body joints to reproduce natural movements. It also features obstacle avoidance sensors and AI learning capabilities. Unlike traditional propeller-driven underwater drones, this new generation of robot fish uses fin-inspired propulsion, which distinguishes it by reducing noise and improving displacement efficiency.
This new generation of robot fish uses fin-inspired propulsion, which can reduce noise, improve displacement efficiency, and lessen environmental impact during aquatic monitoring operations. An article published in 2025 in the scientific journal The Innovation describes these robots as autonomous systems designed with biomimetic principles.
These robots are capable of swimming and performing specific tasks in water, offering advantages such as manoeuvrability, low noise, and greater operational discretion. The primary innovation is the application of biomimetics, an engineering field that replicates solutions from nature.
Adopting undulating movements, similar to those of real fish, offers several technical advantages over conventional mechanical systems. These include lower energy consumption, greater hydrodynamic efficiency, significant noise reduction, and enhanced manoeuvrability in complex environments.
The robots are equipped with advanced sensor systems and artificial intelligence. These systems enable obstacle detection, autonomous navigation, environmental data collection, and real-time environmental adaptation.
Integration with learning algorithms allows the robot to adjust its behaviour based on water conditions, currents, and the presence of objects. This transforms the robot into an intelligent platform capable of operating with minimal human intervention.
One consolidated application of this technology is in environmental monitoring. Robot fish can be used for water quality analysis, pollutant detection, aquatic ecosystem monitoring, data collection in sensitive areas, and much more.
Moving similarly to natural organisms, these robots cause less environmental impact and can approach areas challenging for conventional drones. This characteristic makes the technology particularly useful for ecological studies and environmental preservation.
Beyond scientific applications, the silent, natural behaviour of these robots draws attention for its strategic potential. The absence of propellers and fish-like movement make these devices less detectable in underwater environments.
This opens possibilities for inspecting submerged structures, monitoring maritime areas, and collecting data in sensitive environments. While direct military use is not always explicitly confirmed, the technology suggests strong dual-use potential.
The same system that monitors a river can, in another context, be adapted for strategic operations. The development of robot fish is part of China’s broader investment in biomimetic underwater projects.
These include robots inspired by jellyfish and other marine organisms. Such projects are part of a larger movement investing in autonomous technologies, focusing on underwater robotics, artificial intelligence, and unmanned systems.
The goal is to expand technological presence in environments where human access is limited or unfeasible. While China is advancing rapidly, the development of underwater robotics is a global trend, with other countries also investing in autonomous underwater vehicles, maritime drones, and ocean surveillance systems.
The distinction with biomimetic robots lies in their approach, prioritising efficiency, discretion, and environmental adaptation over mechanical force. This could represent a paradigm shift in how underwater operations are conducted.
Despite advances, robot fish still face technical challenges. Key limitations include limited energy autonomy, restricted payload capacity, and maintenance complexity.
Operating in deep marine environments requires additional advancements in resistance and control. The technology is currently at an advanced research stage but is still maturing for large-scale applications.
The trend suggests that robots like these will evolve into more complex systems, potentially operating in groups or integrated into larger monitoring networks. Combined with other technologies, they can form systems capable of mapping underwater environments in real time.
These integrated systems could also operate continuously for long periods and interact with other autonomous platforms. This type of integration significantly expands the reach and utility of the technology.
With robots capable of swimming like fish, operating autonomously, and collecting data silently, biomimetic underwater technology is beginning to redefine engineering limits and ocean exploration.
Chinese engineers developed a bionic robot fish with AI and sensors.
The 53-centimetre robot, unveiled by Wuhan University, mimics real fish for quiet, efficient underwater movement.
Its capabilities include obstacle avoidance, autonomous navigation, and environmental data collection.
Source: CPG
