Scientists at Khalifa University and Stanford University are working to develop robots that can take on critical tasks such as monitoring the health of coral reefs and keeping oceans clean
The scuba diver robots will be put through a series of simulations in a new robotics pool at Khalifa University that replicates ocean waves, currents and harsh conditions in the deep sea
The robotics pool was launched at Khalifa University
Ocean One is a robot built seven years ago that has explored underwater wreckage and archaeological sites at depths approaching 1,000m
The robot is controlled by a team on the surface, and has collected plastic bottles from mock coral reefs placed in a pool during trials in Abu Dhabi
The Ocean One robot is different from most remotely operated vehicles used in deep-sea exploration that have cameras to capture visuals but are not dextrous enough to safely move objects under water
Prof Oussama Khatib, director of the Stanford Robotics Lab, second left, with Prof Lakmal Seneviratne, director of the Khalifa University Centre for Autonomous Robotic Systems, third left, have been working together for more than a decade in the field of robotics and artificial intelligence
The robots are controlled by pilots who monitor and direct their movements
The technology allows researchers to feel vibration and a sensation of touch that is transmitted by the underwater robots
