The Future of Water Monitoring: Swimming Robots

The Floating Sensor Network, a project at UC Berkeley is developing tiny robots that float (or swim) in rivers or any fresh water to monitor changing conditions in real time.

Although this sounds like a strange, science-fiction like concept, these devices have the potential to give all kinds of new information to water managers. Having a way to monitor water while it flows from its source is very difficult. This provides that information literally while it happens.

They become especially useful in catastrophic events such as a major flood. The robots can tell which direction water flows are going and can immediately tell if this water becomes contaminated. So, before water enters pipes for drinking or other uses, someone will already know the condition of the water and whether it is safe.

See a test of the robots in the video below. Although they are huge right now, the development team plans to eventually make them the size of golf balls. I can tell you, I would be a little freaked out to run into one of these while canoeing.

For an overview of the project, visit the the project website.