In a groundbreaking fusion of biotechnology and marine robotics, Australian scientists have developed a robot fish powered by algae that not only swims like a real fish but also prints live coral to restore damaged reefs.
Nicknamed “CoralBot”, the eco-friendly invention could be the game-changer marine ecosystems desperately need. Built by a team of researchers from the University of Sydney and CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation), the robotic fish is the first of its kind to use algae-based biofuel for propulsion and bioprinting technology to regenerate coral structures.
The robot fish runs on algal biofuel cells, making it a self-sustaining swimmer that mimics the movement of a real fish. It glides silently through fragile underwater environments, avoiding harm to marine life while performing high-precision restoration tasks.
“This is not just a robot—it’s an underwater gardener with its own energy source,” said lead researcher Dr. Amelia Shore.
Equipped with 3D bioprinting arms, CoralBot can deploy living coral polyps onto damaged reef areas, helping accelerate reef recovery after events like bleaching, storm damage, or pollution.
The robot detects areas of ecological stress using environmental sensors and prints coral mixtures tailored to local conditions, ensuring higher survival rates.
With coral reefs vanishing at alarming rates, including the Great Barrier Reef, scientists hope this robotic breakthrough can become a scalable solution. Several test dives off the Queensland coast have already shown successful coral growth within weeks of printing.
The project has drawn international praise from marine conservationists and is expected to expand to other endangered reef systems in Asia and the Caribbean.
In an era of climate-induced coral collapse, this algae-powered, coral-printing robot fish offers real hope. It’s not just swimming through the sea—it’s swimming toward a more sustainable future for our oceans.
