Engineers from Samara University have unveiled an underwater robot shaped like a perch. Korolev, the project team, notes that the machine reaches about one meter in length and propels itself with a flexible tail fin. Reports from Reedus highlight that the device integrates artificial intelligence to navigate beneath the surface and steer clear of obstacles. The design reflects a blend of marine-inspired engineering and autonomous control, aimed at expanding underwater operations with minimal human intervention.
The device is crafted to operate at depths around five meters. Okun, as the project is called, is expected to undertake a range of tasks once its electronics are fully developed. One of the creators, Evgeny Tatarenko, explains that future capabilities could include environmental monitoring, coastal surveillance, and support for search and rescue missions. The team envisions Okun becoming a versatile tool for marine research and safety operations, providing data and assistance in challenging conditions where human divers face risks.
The robot’s hull is produced from plastic through a 3D printing process, a choice that reduces production time and enables rapid iteration. Its core components include lithium batteries, a compact microprocessor board, a navigation system, a data storage unit, and a video camera. With a weight of roughly one and a half kilograms, Okun is designed for easy deployment from small vessels or shore facilities, allowing researchers and responders to conduct missions without heavy equipment or complex logistics.
Earlier efforts from Innopolis University in the Republic of Tatarstan produced an InnoDrone aerial platform equipped with an uninterrupted power supply tether that can serve as an alternative to fixed traffic cameras. The project underscores the growing interest in autonomous devices that operate across different domains, including air and water, to enhance monitoring, security, and public safety capabilities.
There have also been reports of robotic support being used by national defense organizations. In a recent development, robotic units associated with the armed forces were piloted to evacuate wounded personnel in remote or difficult terrain within the Northern Military District. This application demonstrates how unmanned systems are expanding beyond research and civilian contexts to assist in high-stakes emergency response scenarios, potentially reducing risk for human operators while accelerating lifesaving actions.
The convergence of compact design, autonomous navigation, and real-time sensing positions Okun and similar platforms at the forefront of a broader trend. Researchers emphasize that as sensor suites become more capable and software algorithms more sophisticated, underwater robots can operate with greater reliability, adapt to unpredictable currents, and coordinate with surface assets for seamless missions. The ongoing work at Samara University illustrates how collaboration between engineering disciplines, materials science, and software development can yield practical tools for environmental stewardship, maritime safety, and emergency response across North American audiences who rely on such technologies for research, policing, and disaster management. The progress also invites dialogue about standards, data sharing, and regulatory frameworks that govern autonomous underwater systems in coastal regions and harbors across the United States and Canada.
In summary, the Okun project represents a meaningful step in the evolution of compact, AI-enabled underwater robotics. Its combination of a marine-inspired form, modular 3D-printed construction, and a lightweight, capable payload set provides a practical blueprint for future generations of environmentally conscious, response-ready robots. As universities and research centers continue to refine propulsion, sensing, and autonomy, similar devices may become part of routine environmental monitoring, search and rescue drills, and coastal surveillance, augmenting human capabilities while safeguarding operators from dangerous conditions. The story of Okun thus resonates beyond its specific design, signaling a broader commitment to innovation in autonomous systems that serve public safety, scientific inquiry, and resilience in the face of evolving maritime challenges.