Underwater drones have made visualizing the ocean possible, raising hopes for their role in monitoring seagrass beds, which are crucial for environmental conservation and absorbing carbon dioxide. Nagasaki University’s Yamamoto Laboratory is developing underwater drones and is acquiring 3D orthophotos and identifying underwater environmental parameters with a focus on eel grass beds. This initiative is expected not only to contribute to ocean conservation by helping visualize these areas but also to the calculation of blue carbon credits.

In marine aquaculture, automatic feeding has proven difficult to implement because fish tend to leave food uneaten even when they are fed a fixed amount at set times. Nagasaki University has succeeded in developing technology that uses AI to analyze images from underwater cameras to determine the hunger level of fish. If drones can be used to transport food to the site, feeding could be done smartly with no human intervention whatsoever.

Water drones are attracting attention as a means of resolving issues affecting marine operations and water rescue, such as the declining birthrate, aging population, and labor shortages. There are sailboat-type and electric motor-type models, and they can navigate unmanned. Along with raising awareness and developing technology, there is also a need for progress in legislation, and industry groups are conducting awareness-raising activities. The company aims to create a sustainable society that coexists with nature through water drone technology.