Innovating marine exploration through bio-inspired robotics
We envision a future where sustainable and non-invasive marine exploration is accessible to all. By mimicking the gentle, pulsating motion of jellyfish, JellyBot redefines underwater research through energy-efficient, silent, and ecologically responsible locomotion.
Underwater ecosystems like coral reefs are highly fragile yet frequently disrupted by traditional exploration methods. Conventional ROVs generate strong turbulence and noise that can damage coral structures, while diver-based surveys are manpower-intensive, limited by dive duration, and extremely costly.
These challenges highlight the need for a compact, quiet, and affordable underwater robot that can perform detailed ecological monitoring without harming fragile marine habitats.
Moreover, diver interactions pose direct risks to coral health — 94% of divers make contact with reefs, with 66% causing visible coral damage (Worachananant et al., 2008).
A typical diver survey can cost tens of thousands of dollars per year, while commercial ROV systems range between SGD 20,000–60,000, making frequent monitoring financially unsustainable.
Inspired by the natural propulsion of jellyfish, JellyBot uses soft, pulsatile pneumatic actuation to glide gently through water — minimising turbulence and noise while maintaining efficient propulsion.
Its compact design allows it to access tight reef passages and shallow coastal areas that are difficult for ROVs to navigate, enabling low-impact, continuous reef observation.
JellyBot provides marine researchers and ecologists in Singapore with a sustainable, low-cost, and eco-friendly platform for reef monitoring and underwater research. By merging biomimicry with engineering, JellyBot bridges innovation and conservation.
Operates at roughly SGD 1,000 — compared to diver surveys (~SGD 35,000/year) or commercial ROVs (SGD 20,000–60,000).
Designed for shallow, narrow reef environments inaccessible to bulky conventional systems.
Soft, silent propulsion minimises disruption to marine life and fragile reef ecosystems.
A living schedule tracking milestones across all subsystems — mechanical, electrical, propulsion, and electronics — from initial design through to final testing and demonstration.