Robotic Technology OverviewTeamsProjectsLatest NewsTechnologiesData Robotic technology is revolutionizing how scientists study the ocean and its inhabitants.Underwater robots provide us access to the ocean in ways never possible before. Remotely operated and autonomous robots allow scientists to observe the ocean’s chemical, physical, and biological features for longer periods than traditional ship-based observations and over broader spatial scales.The deep ocean is the largest habitat on Earth, but we still have much to learn about its processes and communities. MBARI is committed to continued innovation in marine robotics to bring new insights into the chemical, geological, biological, and anthropogenic processes that affect ocean health.These teams and projects are advancing marine robotics to better understand our changing ocean. Read More Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Teams All Teams Control, Modeling, and Perception of Autonomous Systems Laboratory Team Control, Modeling, and Perception of Autonomous Systems Laboratory The Control, Modeling, Perception for Autonomous Systems (CoMPAS) Laboratory aims to develop and transfer technology for making ocean exploration more accessible and widespread, and to help answer several questions that remain open about our planet. Acoustical Ocean Ecology Team Acoustical Ocean Ecology The Acoustical Ocean Ecology Group uses active acoustics, or sonar, to investigate how animals respond to constantly changing environments. Benthic Biology and Ecology Team Benthic Biology and Ecology The Benthic Biology Team studies the diversity of life on the seafloor, from exploring deep-sea habitats to measuring the effect of ocean change on the lives of marine animals. Biological Oceanography Group Team Biological Oceanography Group The Biological Oceanography Team studies how life in the sea responds to climate change. We advance the field by improving methods to detect, observe, and understand variations of marine flora and fauna. Carbon Flux Ecology Team Carbon Flux Ecology The Carbon Flux Ecology Team resolves the biology and ecology of sinking particles to advance our understanding of the ocean’s role in regulating the carbon cycle and climate. Chemical Sensors Team Chemical Sensors This team develops sensor and float technologies to record fundamental ocean properties. Once a float is deployed, it takes measurements frequently, helping us understand our changing ocean. Ocean Biogeochemical Sensing (OBS) Team Ocean Biogeochemical Sensing (OBS) OBS develops and applies new sensing technologies to study ocean biogeochemical cycles, with an emphasis on the coastal ocean. Bioinspiration Lab Team Bioinspiration Lab The Bioinspiration Lab brings the ocean into the lab, and the lab into the ocean, by developing advanced imaging systems and algorithms to study marine life. Midwater Ecology Team Midwater Ecology The Midwater Ecology Team studies the animals of the oceanic water column directly, using undersea vehicles to carry cameras, instruments, tools, and samplers into their deep habitat. SURF Center Team SURF Center The SURF Center (Sensors: Underwater Research of the Future) develops and deploys instruments that can autonomously collect and process water samples. Biodiversity and Biooptics Team Biodiversity and Biooptics Gelatinous predators such as ctenophores, siphonophores, and hydromedusae display dazzling body forms and behaviors, and provide surprising linkages across the oceanic food web. Long-Range AUV (LRAUV) Team Long-Range AUV (LRAUV) The Engineering Team is refining the LRAUV system and developing new capabilities to expand the breadth of ocean science applications that scientists can address with this new ocean robot. Ocean Soundscape Team Ocean Soundscape Exploring natural and anthropogenic sound in the ocean to advance marine ecology and inform stewardship of the sea. Marine Robots’ Onboard Intelligence for Capturing Oceanographic Features Team Marine Robots’ Onboard Intelligence for Capturing Oceanographic Features This team is developing onboard intelligence for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs). Enabling a Persistent Presence Team Enabling a Persistent Presence This team is developing power capture and transfer technology to enable a long-term presence of instrumentation in the ocean. Projects All Projects Piscivore Team Piscivore MBARI’s Piscivore camera system uses underwater robots to observe ocean predators and their dynamic surroundings. Blue Whale Observatory Team Blue Whale Observatory Exploring the behavioral ecology of Earth’s largest animal species—the blue whale—and the krill that sustain them. Midwater Time Series Team Midwater Time Series Providing specific data to investigate the natural and climate-change-caused variability of oceanic communities at depths below the mixed layer. Respiration Studies Team Respiration Studies Investigating the ecological effects of Central California’s expanding oxygen minimum zone (OMZ). Food Web Dynamics Team Food Web Dynamics Explaining the complex structure and functioning of the deep-sea food web off Central California. Behavior Studies Team Behavior Studies Behavior patterns of deep-sea animals have long been a subject of mystery and speculation. Because of access provided by MBARI’s ROVs, detailed observations of the behavior of these animals have become possible for the first time. Vertical Migration Studies Team Vertical Migration Studies Vertically migrating animals comprise a large and active component of the ocean’s biological pump, and when compared with passively sinking detritus, the vertical migrators contribute significantly to the overall flux of particulate organic carbon. Age and Growth Studies Team Age and Growth Studies Studying the pace of life of deep-sea animals to better understand their recovery rates and resilience. Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observations and Modeling (SOCCOM) Team Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observations and Modeling (SOCCOM) SOCCOM is an NSF-sponsored program focused on unlocking the mysteries of the Southern Ocean and determining its influence on climate. Land/Ocean Biogeochemical Observatory (LOBO) in Elkhorn Slough and Monterey Bay Team Land/Ocean Biogeochemical Observatory (LOBO) in Elkhorn Slough and Monterey Bay The Land-Ocean Biogeochemical Observatory (LOBO) consists of robust moorings that can withstand tidal currents and weather. Biogeochemical Gliders Team Biogeochemical Gliders Working to equip biogeochemical sensors on underwater gliders. Publications All Publications Truelove, N.K., N.V. Patin, M. Min, K.J. Pitz, C.M. Preston, K.M. Yamahara, Y. Zhang, B. Y. Raanan, B. Kieft, B. Hobson, L.R. Thompson, K.D. Goodwin, and F.P. Chavez. 2022. Expanding the temporal and spatial scales of environmental DNA research with autonomous sampling. Environmental DNA, 4(4): 972–984. https://doi.org/10.1002/edn3.299 Latest News All News News MBARI’s remotely operated vehicle Ventana completes 4,500 deep-sea dives News 10.25.23 News Commercial licensing expands access to innovative MBARI technology News 09.26.23 News Nimble autonomous robots help researchers explore the ocean, no ship required Behind the Scenes 02.09.23 Technologies All Technologies Vehicle, Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) ROV Ventana Technology ROV Ventana A remotely operated vehicle equipped with a Sea-Bird 19plus V2 CTD package including a dissolved oxygen sensor, transmissometer, and spatial lasers mounted on the main camera. Vehicle, Unmanned Aerial Autonomous Vehicle (UAS) Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) Technology Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) The Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is an aerial platform for cameras and other sensors that observe phenomena at or near the sea surface. Vehicle, Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV) Wave Glider Technology Wave Glider An autonomous surface vehicle built by Liquid Robotics, purchased and outfitted with sensors and communications gear by MBARI engineering. Vehicle, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), Dorado Class Gulper Technology Gulper An upper-water-column autonomous underwater vehicle that rapidly acquires multiple large-volume seawater samples throughout the upper water column. Vehicle, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), Dorado Class i2MAP Technology i2MAP An autonomous underwater vehicle with a high-resolution camera, downward and forward-looking acoustic transducers, and water chemistry sensors. Vehicle, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), Dorado Class Seafloor Mapping AUV Technology Seafloor Mapping AUV The Dorado class autonomous underwater vehicles are optimized for meter-scale seafloor mapping. Vehicle, Autonomous Robotic Rover, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Benthic Rover Technology Benthic Rover A mobile lab that methodically charts deep-sea carbon cycles. Vehicle, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), Tethys Class Long Range AUV (LRAUV) Technology Long Range AUV (LRAUV) The long-range AUV (LRAUV) greatly expands the types of observations and experiments possible with autonomous platforms. Vehicle, Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) MiniROV Technology MiniROV The MiniROV is used to conduct shallow water transects and make in situ observations. Vehicle, Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) ROV Doc Ricketts Technology ROV Doc Ricketts An integrated unmanned submersible research platform with features providing efficient, reliable, and precise sampling and data collection. Data All Data Data Bioinspiration Lab Data Data Adopt a Float Data Data query and visualization for the adopt-a-float program Data What’s Happening in Monterey Bay Today Check out MBARI's ODSS which provides real-time feedback of research activity in Monterey Bay
Control, Modeling, and Perception of Autonomous Systems Laboratory Team Control, Modeling, and Perception of Autonomous Systems Laboratory The Control, Modeling, Perception for Autonomous Systems (CoMPAS) Laboratory aims to develop and transfer technology for making ocean exploration more accessible and widespread, and to help answer several questions that remain open about our planet.
Acoustical Ocean Ecology Team Acoustical Ocean Ecology The Acoustical Ocean Ecology Group uses active acoustics, or sonar, to investigate how animals respond to constantly changing environments.
Benthic Biology and Ecology Team Benthic Biology and Ecology The Benthic Biology Team studies the diversity of life on the seafloor, from exploring deep-sea habitats to measuring the effect of ocean change on the lives of marine animals.
Biological Oceanography Group Team Biological Oceanography Group The Biological Oceanography Team studies how life in the sea responds to climate change. We advance the field by improving methods to detect, observe, and understand variations of marine flora and fauna.
Carbon Flux Ecology Team Carbon Flux Ecology The Carbon Flux Ecology Team resolves the biology and ecology of sinking particles to advance our understanding of the ocean’s role in regulating the carbon cycle and climate.
Chemical Sensors Team Chemical Sensors This team develops sensor and float technologies to record fundamental ocean properties. Once a float is deployed, it takes measurements frequently, helping us understand our changing ocean.
Ocean Biogeochemical Sensing (OBS) Team Ocean Biogeochemical Sensing (OBS) OBS develops and applies new sensing technologies to study ocean biogeochemical cycles, with an emphasis on the coastal ocean.
Bioinspiration Lab Team Bioinspiration Lab The Bioinspiration Lab brings the ocean into the lab, and the lab into the ocean, by developing advanced imaging systems and algorithms to study marine life.
Midwater Ecology Team Midwater Ecology The Midwater Ecology Team studies the animals of the oceanic water column directly, using undersea vehicles to carry cameras, instruments, tools, and samplers into their deep habitat.
SURF Center Team SURF Center The SURF Center (Sensors: Underwater Research of the Future) develops and deploys instruments that can autonomously collect and process water samples.
Biodiversity and Biooptics Team Biodiversity and Biooptics Gelatinous predators such as ctenophores, siphonophores, and hydromedusae display dazzling body forms and behaviors, and provide surprising linkages across the oceanic food web.
Long-Range AUV (LRAUV) Team Long-Range AUV (LRAUV) The Engineering Team is refining the LRAUV system and developing new capabilities to expand the breadth of ocean science applications that scientists can address with this new ocean robot.
Ocean Soundscape Team Ocean Soundscape Exploring natural and anthropogenic sound in the ocean to advance marine ecology and inform stewardship of the sea.
Marine Robots’ Onboard Intelligence for Capturing Oceanographic Features Team Marine Robots’ Onboard Intelligence for Capturing Oceanographic Features This team is developing onboard intelligence for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs).
Enabling a Persistent Presence Team Enabling a Persistent Presence This team is developing power capture and transfer technology to enable a long-term presence of instrumentation in the ocean.
Piscivore Team Piscivore MBARI’s Piscivore camera system uses underwater robots to observe ocean predators and their dynamic surroundings.
Blue Whale Observatory Team Blue Whale Observatory Exploring the behavioral ecology of Earth’s largest animal species—the blue whale—and the krill that sustain them.
Midwater Time Series Team Midwater Time Series Providing specific data to investigate the natural and climate-change-caused variability of oceanic communities at depths below the mixed layer.
Respiration Studies Team Respiration Studies Investigating the ecological effects of Central California’s expanding oxygen minimum zone (OMZ).
Food Web Dynamics Team Food Web Dynamics Explaining the complex structure and functioning of the deep-sea food web off Central California.
Behavior Studies Team Behavior Studies Behavior patterns of deep-sea animals have long been a subject of mystery and speculation. Because of access provided by MBARI’s ROVs, detailed observations of the behavior of these animals have become possible for the first time.
Vertical Migration Studies Team Vertical Migration Studies Vertically migrating animals comprise a large and active component of the ocean’s biological pump, and when compared with passively sinking detritus, the vertical migrators contribute significantly to the overall flux of particulate organic carbon.
Age and Growth Studies Team Age and Growth Studies Studying the pace of life of deep-sea animals to better understand their recovery rates and resilience.
Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observations and Modeling (SOCCOM) Team Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observations and Modeling (SOCCOM) SOCCOM is an NSF-sponsored program focused on unlocking the mysteries of the Southern Ocean and determining its influence on climate.
Land/Ocean Biogeochemical Observatory (LOBO) in Elkhorn Slough and Monterey Bay Team Land/Ocean Biogeochemical Observatory (LOBO) in Elkhorn Slough and Monterey Bay The Land-Ocean Biogeochemical Observatory (LOBO) consists of robust moorings that can withstand tidal currents and weather.
Biogeochemical Gliders Team Biogeochemical Gliders Working to equip biogeochemical sensors on underwater gliders.
Truelove, N.K., N.V. Patin, M. Min, K.J. Pitz, C.M. Preston, K.M. Yamahara, Y. Zhang, B. Y. Raanan, B. Kieft, B. Hobson, L.R. Thompson, K.D. Goodwin, and F.P. Chavez. 2022. Expanding the temporal and spatial scales of environmental DNA research with autonomous sampling. Environmental DNA, 4(4): 972–984. https://doi.org/10.1002/edn3.299
News Nimble autonomous robots help researchers explore the ocean, no ship required Behind the Scenes 02.09.23
Vehicle, Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) ROV Ventana Technology ROV Ventana A remotely operated vehicle equipped with a Sea-Bird 19plus V2 CTD package including a dissolved oxygen sensor, transmissometer, and spatial lasers mounted on the main camera.
Vehicle, Unmanned Aerial Autonomous Vehicle (UAS) Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) Technology Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) The Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is an aerial platform for cameras and other sensors that observe phenomena at or near the sea surface.
Vehicle, Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV) Wave Glider Technology Wave Glider An autonomous surface vehicle built by Liquid Robotics, purchased and outfitted with sensors and communications gear by MBARI engineering.
Vehicle, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), Dorado Class Gulper Technology Gulper An upper-water-column autonomous underwater vehicle that rapidly acquires multiple large-volume seawater samples throughout the upper water column.
Vehicle, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), Dorado Class i2MAP Technology i2MAP An autonomous underwater vehicle with a high-resolution camera, downward and forward-looking acoustic transducers, and water chemistry sensors.
Vehicle, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), Dorado Class Seafloor Mapping AUV Technology Seafloor Mapping AUV The Dorado class autonomous underwater vehicles are optimized for meter-scale seafloor mapping.
Vehicle, Autonomous Robotic Rover, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Benthic Rover Technology Benthic Rover A mobile lab that methodically charts deep-sea carbon cycles.
Vehicle, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), Tethys Class Long Range AUV (LRAUV) Technology Long Range AUV (LRAUV) The long-range AUV (LRAUV) greatly expands the types of observations and experiments possible with autonomous platforms.
Vehicle, Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) MiniROV Technology MiniROV The MiniROV is used to conduct shallow water transects and make in situ observations.
Vehicle, Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) ROV Doc Ricketts Technology ROV Doc Ricketts An integrated unmanned submersible research platform with features providing efficient, reliable, and precise sampling and data collection.
Data What’s Happening in Monterey Bay Today Check out MBARI's ODSS which provides real-time feedback of research activity in Monterey Bay