How cobots and AI are being used to revive coral reefs

Beneath the glistening surface of the ocean lies a world in peril. Coral reefs, often referred to as the rainforests of the sea, have long been symbols of underwater beauty and biodiversity. Yet, today, they are under siege. Rising temperatures, ocean acidification, pollution, and climate change have wreaked havoc on these fragile ecosystems. Coral bleaching events, where corals expel the symbiotic algae they rely on for survival, have left once-thriving reefs pale and lifeless.

For Dr. Taryn Foster, an Australian marine biologist, this crisis hit home after a catastrophic coral bleaching event devastated reefs in her native waters. But instead of succumbing to despair, Dr. Foster channeled her grief into action. She envisioned a future where damaged reefs could be restored and biodiversity could flourish once more. This vision led to the founding of Coral Maker, a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to large-scale coral restoration.

However, the scale of the problem was daunting. The Great Barrier Reef alone spans an area larger than Italy, and traditional coral restoration methods simply weren’t enough. Dr. Foster knew she needed help—not just from her team but also from cutting-edge technology. In partnership with Autodesk and Universal Robots, she developed an innovative solution that combines artificial intelligence (AI) and collaborative robots (cobots) to revolutionize reef restoration.

Coral restoration is a meticulous process. It begins in underwater nurseries, where tiny coral fragments are cultivated. These fragments are then grafted onto plugs, which are inserted into molded stone bases before being transplanted back onto damaged reefs. While effective on a small scale, this manual process is incredibly time-consuming, labor-intensive, and expensive.

For perspective, most coral restoration projects manage to rehabilitate just one hectare of reef per year. With reefs like the Great Barrier Reef spanning tens of millions of hectares, this approach barely scratches the surface.

Dr. Foster recognized this challenge early on:

“If we want to restore reefs at an ecosystem level, we need to process tens of millions of corals per year. Doing this manually is not just unrealistic it’s impossible. The cost alone makes it prohibitive.”

The breakthrough came when Coral Maker partnered with Autodesk. By leveraging Autodesk’s Design and Make Platform, they trained robots to automate the delicate task of handling coral fragments. Using AI-powered vision systems, these robots can identify, pick up, and place corals with precision, ensuring the fragile organisms are treated with care.

Dr. Foster explains:

“Some of the tasks in coral propagation are relatively simple, like picking up coral fragments and placing them in a spot of glue. These are the tasks we’ve automated, freeing our team to focus on the more complex aspects of restoration.”

The use of collaborative robots, or cobots, was crucial. Unlike traditional industrial robots, which operate in isolation, cobots are designed to work alongside humans. This adaptability makes them ideal for tasks requiring precision and a human touch.

One of the most significant hurdles in reef restoration is scaling up efforts to match the magnitude of the problem. Restoring reefs on an ecosystem scale requires processing millions of coral fragments annually, a task that would be prohibitively expensive without automation.

Cobots provide a scalable solution. Equipped with advanced sensors and AI, they can operate continuously, even outside of human working hours. This efficiency not only reduces costs but also accelerates the restoration process.

Senior Principal Research Scientist at Autodesk, Nic Carey, highlights the importance of scaling up:

“We’re not able to meet the needs of large-scale restoration by doing these repetitive tasks manually. Automation and robotics allow us to dream bigger to think in terms of restoring entire ecosystems, not just small patches of reef.”

By integrating cobots into their workflow, Coral Maker is creating a model for coral restoration that is both scalable and sustainable.

One of the most remarkable aspects of this initiative is the synergy between humans and robots. Far from replacing human effort, cobots are enhancing it. Marine biologists work alongside robots, focusing on creative and analytical tasks while the machines handle repetitive processes.

This collaboration is a game-changer for the field. Dr. Foster explains:

“Cobots don’t just speed up the process—they allow us to dream bigger. By taking over the repetitive tasks, they free our team to think about the next big idea, the next breakthrough in reef restoration.”

The stakes couldn’t be higher. Coral reefs are home to 25% of all marine species, serving as nurseries for fish, protecting coastlines from erosion, and supporting livelihoods for millions of people. Their loss has cascading effects on marine ecosystems, global fisheries, and even climate regulation.

Dr. Foster’s mission is not just about restoring coral it’s about preserving the intricate web of life that depends on it.

The work being done by Coral Maker, Autodesk, and Universal Robots is more than just a technological achievement it’s a symbol of hope. It shows how innovation can be harnessed to solve some of the most pressing challenges of our time.

Dr. Foster’s dream is to create a world where coral reefs are thriving once more, where the oceans are teeming with life, and where technology and nature work hand in hand to heal the planet.

The implications of this work extend far beyond coral reefs. It serves as a model for how automation and AI can be applied to other environmental challenges, from reforestation to wildlife conservation.

Restoring coral reefs on a global scale is no small task, but the progress made by Coral Maker is proof that it’s possible. By combining the ingenuity of human experts with the precision of cobots, the team is turning the tide in the fight to save our oceans.

As the robots continue their quiet work beneath the waves, there’s a renewed sense of optimism for the future of coral reefs. Slowly but surely, the underwater world is coming back to life—one coral at a time.

And in this remarkable journey, cobots and AI aren’t just tools; they’re heroes in their own right, proving that innovation can indeed breathe life back into our planet’s most precious ecosystems.