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MBARI researchers deploy new imaging system to study the movement of deep-sea octopus

Press Release

MBARI’s EyeRIS system collects near real-time three-dimensional visual data about the structure and biomechanics of marine life. Filming pearl octopus (Muusoctopus robustus) with this system has provided new insight into octopus locomotion. Image: © 2022 MBARI

MBARI researchers deploy new imaging system to study the movement of deep-sea octopus

3D visual data collected by MBARI’s groundbreaking EyeRIS camera system could contribute to the design of bioinspired robots in the future.

Why It Matters

Innovative imaging technologies are helping MBARI researchers answer fundamental questions about marine life and ecosystems. The visual data we collect has diverse applications, from resource management to bioinspired engineering.

MBARI researchers have developed an innovative imaging system that can be deployed at great depths underwater to study the movement of marine life. The team used the system to study deep-sea octopus and shared their findings in the scientific journal Nature.

A deep-sea robot undergoes system checks prior to deployment. The robot has a yellow float at the top, black metal frame with two red lights in the middle, and silver metal frame at the base. On the left is a bright white light. On the right is a camera system in a black plastic housing shining five bright red lights. The background is the silver metal floor of a research vessel.
Developed by MBARI’s Bioinspiration Lab, EyeRIS (right) enables near real-time three-dimensional imaging and visualization in a compact payload that can be deployed to depths of 4,000 meters (13,100 feet). Image: Joost Daniels © 2021 MBARI

EyeRIS (Remote Imaging System) can capture detailed three-dimensional visual data about the structures and movement of marine life in their natural deep-sea habitat. MBARI researchers integrated EyeRIS on board a remotely operated vehicle to observe deep-sea pearl octopus (Muusoctopus robustus) at the famous Octopus Garden offshore of Central California.

“In MBARI’s Bioinspiration Lab, we look to nature to find inspiration for tackling fundamental engineering challenges,” said Principal Engineer Kakani Katija. “Octopuses are fascinating subjects as they have no bones yet are able to move across complex underwater terrain with ease. Until now, it has been difficult to study their biomechanics in the field, but EyeRIS is a game changer for us.” 

“EyeRIS allowed us to follow several individuals as they moved, completely unconstrained, in their natural environment,” said Senior Research Specialist Crissy Huffard. “Our team was able to get 3D measurements of their arms in real-time as they crawled over the rough terrain of the deep seafloor.”

EyeRIS uses a specialized, high-resolution camera with a dense array of microlenses that collects simultaneous views of any object in its sight. Software uses that data to create imagery where every pixel in an image is in focus. EyeRIS can create a three-dimensional reconstruction of an animal’s movements so researchers can observe individual features in stunning detail. MBARI researchers used EyeRIS to track the movements of specific points on an octopus’s arm, identifying areas of curvature and strain in real time as the animal crawled over the rugged seafloor.

A pale purple octopus with a bulbous body, black eyes, and eight thin arms crawls over the rocky seafloor. The octopus is perched on a large greenish-black rock covered in fine brown sediment. Its body is pointed to the left and its arms to the right. The background is greenish-black rocky seafloor.
Pearl octopus (Muusoctopus robustus) occur in large numbers at the Octopus Garden and exhibit a diverse range of behaviors, including brooding, crawling, and swimming, for researchers to study. Image: © 2022 MBARI

“EyeRIS data showed that pearl octopus use temporary muscular joints in their arms when crawling, with strain and bend concentrated above and below the joint. This allows them to have simple, but sophisticated, control of their arms,” said Huffard. “The mechanisms of this simplified control could be valuable for designing octopus-inspired robots and other bioinspired technologies in the future.” 

EyeRIS is the latest example of how technology can help us better understand ocean life. This versatile new imaging system can study marine animals that live on the seafloor and in the water column.

“There is still so much to learn about marine life. EyeRIS will allow us to continue to study the movement and behavior of octopuses and other deep-sea animals in their natural environment using non-invasive techniques. I’m excited to see how this growing body of research and new technology sparks future bioinspired engineering innovation,” said Katija. 

The development of EyeRIS was made possible by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

Research Publication:
Katija, K., C.L. Huffard, P.L.D. Roberts, J. Daniels, J. Erickson, D. Klimov, H. Ruhl, and A.D. Sherman. 2025. In situ light-field imaging of octopus locomotion reveals simplified control. Nature. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09379-z

For additional information or images relating to this article, please email pressroom@mbari.org.



MBARI Team

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