Researchers from the Russian Academy of Sciences in St. Petersburg, working at the St. Petersburg Federal Research Center, have demonstrated a system that enables wireless energy transfer underwater. This breakthrough supports autonomous underwater robots used in geological surveys, water quality monitoring, and mapping the topography of both fresh and saltwater environments. The news was shared with socialbites.ca by experts at the St. Petersburg center, highlighting a significant advance in marine robotics and energy management.
Officials from Autonomous Robotic Systems at the St. Petersburg Federal Research Center described the development as a prototype of a wireless power transfer solution designed for automated robotic platforms across multiple applications. The focus includes underwater charging for autonomous robots, which can improve operational automation and safety by reducing human intervention in battery maintenance. The system is bidirectional, enabling energy transfer to robots at a charging station and allowing energy resources to be exchanged between robots within a swarm as needed. This flexibility supports continuous missions and larger autonomous deployments in challenging underwater settings.
The architecture comprises a transmitter and a receiver, with wireless energy conveyed through electromagnetic induction via an alternating magnetic field. The project also features an energy transfer control module that can be integrated into a robot’s control system, tailored to meet the specific requirements of individual platforms. The design emphasizes reliability in submerged conditions and compatibility with diverse robotic configurations.
A key advantage of the approach is its tolerance for imperfect alignment and distance. Unlike some existing solutions, precise positioning or close contact is not required. In one tested prototype, the transmitter and receiver only needed to be within about 6 to 7 centimeters of each other to achieve power transfer, with a measured efficiency around 85 percent at a 400-watt output. This balance of practicality and performance makes the system suitable for compact, field-ready underwater robots that operate in remote or hazardous environments.
The developers claim that the bi-directional wireless power system is without Russian analogue and can be adapted to different robot types to fit specific industrial needs. Potential deployments include underwater charging stations that service several robots simultaneously, eliminating the need to lift units to the surface for battery changes and enabling more continuous, automated operations in harsh underwater environments. The team envisions applications ranging from exploration and mapping to servicing fleets of autonomous underwater vehicles in industrial and scientific missions.
Earlier efforts by researchers introduced concepts akin to robotic support devices for elderly care, underscoring a broader interest in practical robotics applications across sectors. These developments illustrate growing capabilities in autonomous systems and energy management, signaling a broader trajectory toward safer, more efficient machine collaboration under water. Researchers emphasize that ongoing refinements will further enhance resilience, efficiency, and integration with existing underwater platforms, expanding the role of wireless power in autonomous marine missions. (attribution: Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg Federal Research Center)