FISHER-X: AN ENGINEERING CONCEPT TO MONITOR WATER ENVIRONMENTS USING ROBOTIC BIOMIMICRY

Human activities have significantly impacted aquatic ecosystems worldwide, especially in developing countries. Acid mine drainage from mineral extraction and wastewater containing xenobiotics pose substantial threats for lakes and marine ecosystems, introducing heavy metals and increasing antibiotic resistance in pathogenic microbes. Despite the urgent need for effective solutions, many environmental liabilities remain without an adequate mapping unmapped or remediation plan, exacerbating risks for environmental health. To address these challenges, our team proposes FISHER-X, a biomimetic robot inspired by the hadal snailfish Pseudoliparis swirei. This innovative technological tool is designed to support integrative studies and monitor water bodies near industrial facilities, particularly mining units. FISHER-X's proposed capabilities make it a suitable tool for assessing polluted and hazardous environments. This paper presents the conceptual design of FISHER-X, including fundamental equations for engineering design, motion mechanisms based on computational simulation, and a proposed validation test. Potential applications extend beyond conventional environmental monitoring, such as habitability surveys, life detection, and physicochemical characterization and mapping of aquatic environments on Earth and beyond.