Jellyfish, known for their energy-efficient swimming, are now being transformed into cyborgs to aid ocean research. Researchers at Tohoku University, led by Dr. Dai Owaki, have developed a method to control jellyfish swimming speed using gentle electric pulses. This innovative approach involves attaching small electrodes to the jellyfish's muscle rings, delivering pulses timed to match their natural rhythm.
The team also created a simple AI model to predict the jellyfish's movements in different directions. This lightweight AI works in tandem with the jellyfish's natural abilities, enhancing their efficiency. The study, published in Nature Communications, highlights that gentle, rhythmic pulses yield the best results, avoiding stress to the jellyfish.
These cyborg jellyfish could revolutionize ocean monitoring, tracking oil spills, studying temperatures, and observing coral reefs. This technology offers a non-polluting, energy-efficient alternative to traditional methods. Future applications include deploying jellyfish cyborg swarms for long-term data collection on various oceanic parameters.