Gallery: The Great Barrier Reef's Best Hope Is a Killer Robot

  • Image may contain Construction Crane
    Grant Harvey
    01

    starfishkiller-full.jpg

    The COTSbot is a 4.5-foot-long autonomous sub that hunts down coral-eating crown-of-thorn starfishes—and kills them.
  • Antenna When the bot surfaces it trans­mits its GPS loca­tion and other details via WiFi.
    Grant Harvey
    02

    starfishkiller1-antenna.jpg

    Antenna: When the bot surfaces, it trans­mits its GPS loca­tion and other details via Wi-Fi.
  • This image may contain Machine Transportation Vehicle Airplane Aircraft and Propeller
    Grant Harvey
    03

    starfishkiller2-propulsion.jpg

    Propulsion system: five thrusters for five-axis mobility. “We are hunting on the seabed,” Dunbabin says. “We need movement.”
  • Image may contain Wheel Machine Tire and Spoke
    Grant Harvey
    04

    starfishkiller4-camera.jpg

    Camera: The bot recognizes its prey by comparing suspects to an onboard database of images.
  • This image may contain Vehicle Transportation Aircraft Airplane Adventure and Leisure Activities
    Grant Harvey
    05

    starfishkiller3-velocitylog.jpg

    Doppler velocity log: This acoustic sensor measures depth and velocity so the bot can navigate the reef.
  • Articulating arm extends up to 3 feet to deliver a deadly sting.
    Grant Harvey
    06

    starfishkiller5-arm.jpg

    Articulating arm: extends up to 3 feet to deliver a deadly sting.
  • Image may contain Adapter
    Grant Harvey
    07

    starfishkiller6-injection.jpg

    Injection system: Two pods mounted near the thrusters each hold 1 liter of bile salts. Once a target is ID’d, 10 ml of the liquid is sent to the needle and then—prick!—into the starfish.
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