Subcultron: Swarming Robots That Keep an Eye on Waterways

Scientists develop self-directing robots to monitor water conditions

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By Nick Leiber

January 28, 2016 at 8:14 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

This article is part of the February 1, 2016 issue of businessweek.

Innovator: Thomas Schmickl
Age: 46
Zoology professor and founder of the Artificial Life Laboratory at the University of Graz in Austria

Form and function
Subcultron is a swarm of at least 120 self-directing, underwater robots being developed by scientists in six countries to monitor Venice’s polluted waterways and transmit environmental data to government officials.