Innovative Fish-Inspired Robots for Waterway Conservation in the Middle East

The world's oceans, lakes, and rivers are facing increasing challenges due to climate change, urbanization, pollution, and growing demand, putting their ability to support life at risk.

According to Simeon Pieterkosky, co-founder of Aquaai, without access to better data to assess the health of these stressed water bodies, efforts to protect and preserve them will be ineffective. He highlights that most waterways are polluted to a point where the ecosystem struggles to recover.

Aquaai aims to close the information gap by using fishlike drones to gather data from underwater environments. These drones, powered by batteries, are designed to mimic the appearance and movement of fish, with a body and tail that move from side to side as they swim through the water. Their orange, white, and black neoprene skin gives them a resemblance to the clownfish from the popular movie "Finding Nemo."

The standard version of these drones is approximately 4 feet long (1.3 meters) and weighs 65 pounds (30 kilograms). They can be equipped with cameras and sensors to measure important metrics such as oxygen levels, salinity, and pH levels.

Aquaai's underwater drone swims with fish

Aquaai's underwater drone swims with fish

Pieterkosky, with experience in animatronics for horror movies, was inspired to create Aquaai robots when his daughter, age eight, expressed concern about the ocean crisis and urged him to take action. He emphasizes the importance of the drones being able to blend into marine environments seamlessly, moving alongside other sea creatures without causing disruption and navigating obstacles with ease.

The company has utilized its technology in California, where it originated, and in Norway, where it has a subsidiary. The technology has been employed in various settings, including fresh and saltwater environments near dams, harbors, and fish farms. Its main purpose is to monitor water quality and fish health. While many fish farms use fixed sensors for this purpose, Aquaai's robots swim alongside the fish to collect data, especially in large pens where fish may not be near the sensors.

This technology could also be beneficial in the Middle East, a region facing water scarcity. With only 1% of the world's freshwater resources, the Middle East and North Africa are heavily reliant on depleting underground reservoirs for irrigation, particularly in agricultural areas.

Thompson and Pieterkosky, a married couple, recently moved to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Last October, their company Aquaai was selected to join a program for startups at Hub71, Abu Dhabi's tech ecosystem.

Aquaai co-founder and CEO Liane Thompson.

Aquaai co-founder and CEO Liane Thompson.

Aquaai

Thompson mentions that Aquaai's technology has potential applications in the region for water management, sustainable aquaculture operations, detecting derelict fishing gear, and monitoring the health of corals. The company is currently enhancing its underwater drones and is in talks with different government agencies for trials using the latest version.

Thompson highlights that worldwide, water resources are usually monitored manually, which is a slow, labor-intensive process that may only yield sporadic data. She emphasizes the urgent need for improved automation in this area.

Automation is seen as a key factor in the future of water management. According to Robert C. Brears, founder of water security platform Our Future Water, it can help improve efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance data collection for better decision-making.

Brears, who is not affiliated with Aquaai, praises the company's drones as a non-invasive and cost-effective solution for real-time data collection.

Still, Aquaai faces some challenges ahead in getting its fish-like robots ready to navigate the world's water. The company has secured approximately $1.6 million in funding, primarily from a small group of venture capital firms, an angel investor, family offices, a strategic corporate investor, and paid trials. CEO Thompson acknowledges the need for more capital to bring the technology to market, but notes the limited support for those working on cutting-edge water technologies.

Aquaai co-founder and Chief Visionary Officer Simeon Pieterkosky holding an underwater drone.

Aquaai co-founder and Chief Visionary Officer Simeon Pieterkosky holding an underwater drone.

Aquaai

Water technology only received a small fraction of the $48 billion climate tech funding in 2023, as reported by the business database Dealroom.

There are various agencies and companies working on underwater drones for different reasons. For example, in 2021, a Chinese company showcased a robotic arowana fish with sensors at a military convention in Beijing. Additionally, some oil and gas companies utilize subsea drones for inspecting their projects.

Aquaai is hopeful for more funding in the future. Pieterkosky believes that investors should be more attentive and supportive. He emphasizes the importance of preserving the ocean, which is crucial for sustaining human life.

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the urgent need for innovative solutions to address the challenges facing our water bodies. Aquaai's fish-like drones emerge as a promising tool for monitoring water quality and fish health, providing valuable data that can inform decision-making and conservation efforts. The company's dedication to creating a non-invasive and cost-effective solution is commendable, as it aligns with the growing need for automation in water management.

However, the article also sheds light on the funding challenges faced by Aquaai and the broader water technology sector. Despite the critical role water plays in sustaining life, it receives a disproportionately small share of climate tech funding. This underscores the need for investors to recognize the importance of investing in cutting-edge water technologies that can help safeguard our precious water resources for future generations.