Bioinspired underwater robotics is an emerging field that merges advances in robotics with principles observed in nature, seeking innovative solutions that mimic the efficiency and adaptability of marine organisms. This approach not only enhances the technological capabilities of underwater robots but also opens up new possibilities for exploring, studying, and protecting marine ecosystems.

By replicating the morphology of marine organisms that have evolved over millions of years, the aim is to improve the robot's mobility, its adaptation to environmental variability, and at the same time increase the robot’s energy efficiency—a major milestone in robotics. One of the greatest innovations in bioinspired underwater robotics is the development of propulsion systems based on the study of marine animals such as fish, squids, and dolphins. These organisms are highly efficient in their movement due to their ability to adapt their shape and motion according to the environment. Underwater robots that mimic these techniques—such as those using undulating fins or oscillating flippers—achieve more agile movements and consume less energy than traditional propeller-based models.

SoilBOT a robotic explorer in low gravity environments (2025-2027)

Robotics for underground exploration is a relatively unexplored field of study, where we find opportunities for innovation and technical challenges. Despite significant technological advances and research in robotics, underground exploration presents challenges that have limited the development and implementation of robotic solutions.

SoilBOT is a novel concept of robot aimed to penetrate from soil to the subsoil to explore and monitor parameters, biodiversity, water quality, salt or the pollutant concentration.

Based on our best knowledge, currently there is not a technology able to dynamically explore and monitor the health of the soil and subsoil.

SoilBOT will be equipped with different sensors to explore and monitor for the first-time an un-known environment with wide perspective, therefore this novel technological concept could be applied to several scenarios such as monitoring coast, agricultural land, lunar regolith or the soil under the seabed, among others. SoilBOT will be developed as an eco-friendly technology able to collect data and make decisions without harming the surround or the environment.

We propose to decipher the underlying principles and methods that would enable animal-like robots to explore and understand the environment. We will instantiate this novel approach into a new hardware that replicates the earthworm behaviour. 

Human Machine interaction: eye-movement + EEG (2024-2028)