Robotic Automation and the Future of Fishing
Overview:
Robotic automation is rapidly expanding throughout various industries, one of which is the fishing industry. Statistics reveal that 90% of fisheries are fully exploited, overexploited or depleted (FAO, 2016). In contrast, the Fisheries and Aquaculture Department anticipates a 17% increase in fish production by 2025. To bridge this gap, the integration of robotics technology into the fishing industry is critical. Through precision fishing, drones and underwater robots, robotic automation is bound to revolutionize the way fishing is conducted while drastically reducing the existing carbon footprint.
Precision Fishing and Robotic Automation:
Precision fishing is a trend that many in the industry are keeping a close watch on. The approach uses Big Data and Artificial Intelligence to improve efficiency and reduce waste. Studies have shown that robotic automation can reduce bycatch waste by more than 50%. Furthermore, AI technology can analyze 99.9% of fishing data which was previously discarded. By combining these technologies, fishing companies can better manage their resources and improve their sustainability practices. The aim is to achieve a triple bottom line of economic, social, and environmental sustainability.
Drones and the Future of Fisheries Surveillance:
Drones are increasingly being utilized in fisheries surveillance, making the process more efficient and cost-effective. Research indicates that using drones can result in an 80% reduction in surveillance costs compared to traditional patrol boats. In the UK alone, overfishing costs are estimated at £1.4 billion annually. By using drones for surveillance, we can drastically cut these costs and ensure that the fishing is conducted in a sustainable and legal manner. Furthermore, these devices can cover a larger area in less time, resulting in improved monitoring of marine ecosystems.
Underwater Robots – The Next Generation of Fishing:
Underwater robots take fishing to a completely new level. Not only do these robots provide a more sustainable and efficient way of fishing, but they also reduce the risk of overfishing. It is estimated that by 2050, the world will need an additional 40 million tons of fish to meet demand. Underwater robots can help meet this target without overexploiting our marine resources. Moreover, these robots equipped with advanced sensors can gather valuable data about the marine ecosystem, aiding in future conservation efforts.
Key Takeaways:
- Robotic automation can shape the future of fishing by improving efficiency, reducing waste, and promoting sustainability.
- Precision fishing greatly benefits from the integration of robotics, with potential waste reduction by more than 50%.
- Drones have proven efficient in fisheries surveillance, potentially reducing costs by up to 80%.
- Underwater robots ensure sustainable fishing practices and can help meet the increasing global demand for fish.
3Laws Robotics is dedicated to developing innovative software to enhance the safety and reliability of robotic systems. Our focus is to address the challenge of certification, a significant pain point for many robotics companies. To simplify this process, we offer the 3Laws Supervisor, a software with robust safety features that provide evidence of system robustness.
Our technology use cases expand across diverse industries and applications. This includes warehouse automation where we achieved a 40% efficiency gain for an autonomous forklift customer, and human-robot interaction where we enable safe and uninterrupted operation of robots near humans. Through our reactive collision avoidance capabilities, robots can effectively navigate in unpredictable environments, minimizing downtime caused by e-stops or collisions.
Furthermore, our adaptable software works with various platforms including mobile robots, cars, drones, and manipulators, and is compatible with popular robotics middleware such as ROS and ROS2. 3Laws Robotics represents the next-generation solution to safety that offers a proactive approach and unlocks the full potential of robotics with dynamic, predictive safety that can be certified for ISO 3691-4 and ISO 26262.