As modern technologies evolve, robots are playing an increasingly vital role in marine operations, from ocean exploration to supporting the aquaculture sector. However, the traditional reliance on individual robots for specific tasks faces significant challenges related to efficiency and adaptability in complex marine environments. With the rising complexity of marine operations and the need for more advanced technologies to manage marine infrastructure and explore ocean depths, researchers emphasize the necessity of shifting towards a more integrated model, as individual robots are no longer sufficient to meet growing challenges.
In this context, a research team in Norway has developed an innovative approach known as "Autonomous Robotic Swarms" (AROs), which are teams of robots that work in harmony across sea, land, and air. Researchers explain that the transition from individual robots to cooperative systems could revolutionize marine operations; instead of each robot operating independently, these robots will be able to interact and coordinate with each other, much like neurons in the human body transmit information quickly and efficiently through synapses. The findings were published on March 26, 2025, in the journal Science Robotics.
Dr. Ketil Skogseth, the lead researcher from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and Equinor, states that cooperative robots offer capabilities far beyond what traditional robotic systems can provide. He adds, "These robots enhance operational capabilities, possess the flexibility needed to adapt to changing tasks and diverse skill requirements, and contribute to reducing operational costs by decreasing reliance on manned vessels and minimizing direct human intervention, thus improving task efficiency by reducing response times and enhancing performance quality."
Furthermore, various sensing platforms improve the performance of these robots by enabling information exchange and collaboration among them. Instead of working separately, the robots communicate with one another, allowing for intelligent task distribution based on need. For instance, in a marine exploration mission, one robot can collect water temperature data, while another examines water quality, and a third identifies coral reef locations. This collaboration makes operations more efficient and accurate, providing continuous communication between robots, which helps them make quick decisions and adapt to sudden changes in the marine environment.
Regarding the role of these robots in the future of aquaculture and ocean exploration, Skogseth notes that they can enhance aquaculture by monitoring fish health, inspecting and repairing fish cages, mapping the seabed, and monitoring water quality, thus providing crucial data to support operational decisions, such as feeding strategies and preventive measures against phenomena like harmful algal blooms. In ocean exploration, these robots enable long-term missions, enhancing the spatial and temporal coverage accuracy for mapping and data collection, while reducing the effort required through interconnected systems, allowing for more targeted and efficient exploratory campaigns. Additionally, they will enable comprehensive studies on a larger scale at a lower cost compared to traditional systems relying on manned research vessels.
In recent years, significant advancements have been made in developing robots designed for ocean exploration and marine environments. For instance, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is working on developing swarms of small robots called SWIM to explore oceans on other worlds. Each robot is approximately 12 cm long and is equipped with sensors to measure variables such as temperature and pressure, facilitating the exploration of aquatic environments on other planets. In June 2024, researchers from the Russian Academy of Sciences announced the design of new robots for underwater explorations, designed to operate independently for approximately six months, capable of moving vertically in water and measuring the physical and chemical properties of the aquatic environment, thereby contributing to more accurate studies of marine environments.
Moreover, researchers from Stanford University, in collaboration with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia, developed a robot called OceanOneK in June 2022, which can dive to depths of up to 1000 meters. This robot enables scientists to explore and interact with deep-sea environments thanks to a control system that provides a sense of touch, allowing for the simulation of the texture of underwater objects.
Meanwhile, a report published by the American website OilPrice highlights a new strategic agreement between Turkey and Pakistan to explore massive oil and gas reserves in the sea, believed to be the fourth largest globally. According to the website, Pakistan and Turkey may be able to extract offshore oil and gas recently discovered in Pakistani waters.
The two countries signed this agreement during the Pakistan Investment Forum for Minerals 2025 in Islamabad, aiming to present a joint exploration project for 40 marine blocks. The Pakistani government announced in February that it would offer incentives for exploration of these blocks located in the Makran and Sindh basins. Companies such as Mari Energy Limited, the Oil and Gas Development Company, and Pakistan Petroleum Limited will jointly participate in the offshore bidding process alongside the Turkish state-owned company Turkish Petroleum Anonymous Company.
Modern Diplomacy magazine states that this discovery, resulting from a three-year survey, indicates that it could be the fourth largest oil and gas reserve in the world, following Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, and Canada, which occupy the top three spots in confirmed oil reserves. The website suggests that the size of this potential reserve could significantly change Pakistan's economic trajectory, potentially elevating one in every four individuals above the poverty line.
However, questions arise regarding why major oil companies have not pressured the Pakistani government to extract these reserves. In a January 2024 article, OilPrice reported that Shell announced the sale of its stake in its operations in Pakistan to Saudi Aramco in June 2023, and an auction for 18 oil and gas blocks received a tepid response from international bidders at best. Reports indicated that no international companies bid on 15 of these blocks, according to The Nation.
Pakistan's Minister of Petroleum, Musadik Malik, stated in July 2024 to a parliamentary committee that international companies are not showing interest in oil and gas exploration in Pakistan's waters, and existing companies are mostly looking to exit the market. He attributed this to security issues and risks versus rewards, explaining that security costs are one of the main reasons hindering investment. Malik noted that "companies looking for oil and gas in some areas need to spend substantial amounts to ensure the safety of their employees and assets." He confirmed that security provided by Pakistan has not met the required standards.
In March 2024, five Chinese engineers were killed in a suicide attack in northeastern Pakistan when a vehicle loaded with explosives targeted a bus transporting employees from Islamabad to the massive Dasu Dam project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This project is part of the $62 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, and the incident followed a series of previous attacks on similar projects.
Earlier that month, militants attacked Chinese assets in southwestern Pakistan, storming the Gwadar Port complex managed by China. These attacks have been attributed to the Baloch Liberation Army, which includes separatists fighting for an independent Balochistan province, according to the Lowy Institute.
According to Minister of Energy Muhammad Ali, Pakistan possesses 235 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves, and an investment ranging from $25 to $30 billion would be sufficient to extract 10% of these reserves over the next decade, aiming to reverse the current decline in gas production and replace energy imports.
The report indicates that oil and gas discoveries could yield additional benefits, as Pakistan's marine regions are rich in natural resources, including minerals such as cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements. This aligns with the goal of leveraging the "blue economy" of the country, as noted by Modern Diplomacy magazine. The magazine further stated that "the potential here exceeds electricity generation to encompass trade, marine biotechnology, and even eco-tourism. Coordinating efforts to expand these industries could provide a range of income sources and job creation, boosting the Pakistani economy." While Pakistan lacks the technological capabilities for deep-sea mining, there is growing global interest in this field, with some companies exploring the potential for mining polymetallic nodules containing precious metals.
