Scientists at California State University Long Beach are developing a solar-powered shark-surveillance robot designed to patrol coastal waters and provide real-time information to lifeguards, potentially enhancing safety for athletes and beachgoers during the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The robotic vessel, approximately 10 feet long and as wide as a paddleboard, is intended to scan for acoustically tagged sharks, collect water samples for DNA analysis, and launch an aerial drone. This technology could be crucial for events like open-water swimming scheduled to take place in Long Beach, an area known to have white sharks.
Chris Lowe, director of the Shark Lab at CSU Long Beach, explained that the goal is not to alert people to every shark sighting, as sharks are common along the California coast without incident. Instead, the robot aims to provide lifeguards with more data to make informed decisions about beach safety and public advisement. The system relies on sharks being tagged, a process the lab has been undertaking, having tagged hundreds of juvenile white sharks.
The Shark Lab currently utilizes aerial drones and underwater listening stations for shark movement tracking. The new surveillance vessel would integrate these tools into a single platform. While the development is underway, the lab acknowledges that significant research and development are still needed before a fleet of these robots can be deployed.
Funding for the project could pose a challenge, as state funding that supported the vessel's construction is reportedly set to expire in the fall. Researchers emphasize the importance of continued shark tagging for the robot's functionality. Lowe noted that while the Olympics provide a clear deadline, the program is envisioned to continue operations beyond the 2028 Games.