AI and Robotics: Innovations in Environmental Restoration

At the Australian Institute of Marine Science, or AIMS, artificial intelligence is being deployed to restore the Great Barrier Reef by planting baby corals. Following the autumn spawning season, scientists at AIMS are utilizing a robotic assistant called the Deployment Guidance System, or DGS, to enhance coral seeding efforts.

This advanced system scans the seafloor to identify optimal locations for coral larvae deployment, delivering small ceramic coral analogues with precision to within three feet of the targeted area. Dr.

Ben Moshirian, the project engineer behind the DGS, explained that this workflow integrates multiple technologies to significantly improve the success rate of coral restoration. Over the past two decades, marine scientists have made strides in understanding coral spawning patterns, capturing larvae, and breeding them in controlled environments.

The ceramic analogues used in this project are designed to protect juvenile corals as they grow, and the DGS utilizes deep-learning algorithms informed by extensive oceanographic and ecological data to time the release of these devices accurately.

Dr. Moshirian emphasized that this technology augments human efforts rather than replaces them, allowing scientists to achieve unprecedented scales of impact in coral restoration. As coral seeding initiatives progress, the DGS will continue to adapt, reflecting the latest scientific knowledge.

AIMS envisions a future where the DGS is mounted on autonomous vessels, enabling continuous coral seeding day and night. There are also explorations into adapting the system for use on boats piloted for tourism, diving, or by Traditional owners, empowering those who cherish the reefs to participate in their restoration.

This innovative use of AI-guided robotics marks a significant advancement in environmental conservation efforts, showcasing technology's potential to tackle ecological challenges. The ongoing efforts to restore the Great Barrier Reef are critical in the face of recent coral bleaching events, and the integration of robotics into these initiatives holds promise for the future of marine ecosystems.