Traditional methods for surveying coral reefs, such as divers and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), can disturb fragile marine ecosystems through physical contact and turbulence. JellyBot addresses this challenge with a biomimetic underwater robot designed for gentle surveillance of shallow coral reefs.

Inspired by the pulsating motion of a jellyfish, JellyBot uses soft pneumatic actuators to propel itself through the water, enabling quiet, low-turbulence navigation through shallow reef passages that may be inaccessible to conventional systems. Its modular architecture integrates four key subsystems —mechanical, electrical, propulsion and electronics — with features including a pressure-sealed housing, precision depth control, onboard sensing and low-light HD imaging.

Designed to operate at depths of 2 to 5 metres, JellyBot achieves approximately 3.1 hours of mission endurance while requiring only a single operator. With its soft body and biomimetic propulsion, the project demonstrates how soft robotics can provide a less disruptive and more accessible approach to underwater surveillance, supporting the observation of sensitive marine environments while minimising physical impact.