Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology apparently have time on their hands and a penchant for aquatics.  Awhile back they created a new species of marine “life” called…wait for it…Robotuna!    Now they are embarking on their greatest oceanic quest yet – Robotrout.  Created for underwater exploration, inspection and possibly even surveillance, these robotic fish do have some potential usefulness, but still I find the concept disturbingly unnatural.  I have a few questions:

What happens when another fish eats them?  Do you get robodigestion or, even worse, robofishsh*t?  Have you seen some of the ridiculous looking lures that fish will chase?  Anything that even resembles a tin can with a tail is fair game, so what happens when one of these electronic beauties becomes part of the food chain?  If you see fish glowing in the dark during your night dive, you now know why.

Have the researchers missed the kelp forest through the trees? Robotuna was not able to go into the ocean because of external electronic parts and the need to stay tethered to a central control source.  But have no fear, the new generation called robotrout, is able to roam the seas freely.  If I understand this correctly, their prototype tuna, which appears in nature as a far-ranging, salt water fish, can only go a limited distance in fresh water.  And, their prototype trout, a limited range fresh water fish, goes free swimming in the ocean?  Is it possible that the computer technology overshadowed the marine biology just a bit?  I bet the latest version was actually a robosquirrel until their PR person noticed it and recommended a more eco-appropriate spin.

When do the applications end?  Will I see one of these robocritters on my next dive?  Is it more cost-effective for aquariums to house these than living organisms?  On my next Red Lobster visit will I find a spring sticking out of my flounder?  The uses seem, sadly, endless.