A species of coral eating starfish could be killed by underwater drones to stop it destroying the Great Barrier Reef.
The small submarine-like machines have been designed to eradicate crown-of-thorns starfish, listed as a major threat to the reef, using a lethal injection.
Researchers at the Queensland University of Technology collaborating with Google and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation have designed the RangerBot.
“We’ve ‘trained’ RangerBot to detect crown-of-thorns starfish – and only these coral-destroying starfish – in much the same way as people learn to differentiate between various forms of sea life. Using real time computer vision processed on board the robot, RangerBot can identify these deadly starfish with 99.4 per cent accuracy.
“Once the identification is confirmed, RangerBot can instigate an injection which is fatal for the crown-of-thorns starfish, but doesn’t affect anything else on the reef,” said Professor Matthew Dunbabin, of the Queensland University of Technology.
The drone, measuring 75cm in length and weighing 15kg, can also be used to monitor the reef remotely.
It has a high-tech vision system which allows it to autonomously “see” under the waves.
It is the world’s first robotic design specifically for use on coral reefs.
Professor Dunbabin said: “This multifunction ocean drone can monitor a wide range of issues facing coral reefs including coral bleaching, water quality, pest species, pollution and siltation. It can help to map expansive underwater areas at scales not previously possible, making it a valuable tool for reef research and management.
“RangerBot can stay under water almost three times longer than a human diver, gather more data, and operate in all conditions and at all times of the day or night, including where it may not be safe for a human diver.”
The design was created after $750,000 of funding was secured for the project from winning the “Google Impact Challenge” in 2016.
Great Barrier Reef Foundation managing director Anna Marsden said: “More than a billion people depend on coral reefs for their food and livelihood – they stand to lose the most if those important ecosystems are not protected.”
The RangerBot has recently been trialled by The Australian Institute of Marine Science.
Its creators hope the design will be able to be used on other reefs by those who could find use for them worldwide.
