A cutting-edge marine platform designed to revolutionize coral reef monitoring and mapping called ReefVision Robotics was field tested in Kāneʻohe Bay by University of Hawaiʻi researchers.
The successful trial, conducted at the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) in September, represents a step toward a more scalable and highly accurate method for monitoring and mapping coral reefs. The project’s initial targets are invasive macroalgae species and marine debris but the technology can be used to detect many coral reef organisms. This test served as one of several trial runs before the technology is deployed in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in summer 2026.
“The integration of these technologies represents a significant step forward in our ability to manage and respond to invasive species threats facing our Hawaiian coral reefs,” said Keolohilani “Keo” Lopes, Jr., the project lead. The research is part of his PhD dissertation in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management within the UH Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience.
The platform integrates three leading-edge detection methods on a suite of unmanned marine systems—two operating on the surface and one submersible—to provide a comprehensive picture of the reef environment including:
- Computer vision: The surface robot is equipped with advanced camera systems and uses machine learning to visually identify and automatically flag invasive algae or marine debris.
- Environmental DNA (eDNA): A second surface robot also serves as a mobile genetic lab, collecting water samples during deployment for eDNA analysis after its return. This allows researchers to perform rapid, in-field genetic analysis of water samples to confirm the presence of a target species.
- Hyperspectral benthic mapping: A submersible drone dives beneath the surface to scan the reef with a hyperspectral camera. This sensor captures detailed light signatures, creating 3D maps that reveal the specific composition and health of the coral ecosystem.
“We are moving beyond standard visual surveys to provide managers with definitive genetic, spectral and visual data, all collected autonomously,” said HIMB Associate Research Professor Erik Franklin, a collaborator on the project. “While technical challenges related to data synthesis and real-world accuracy remain, the collaborative team–comprising marine biology, invasive species, and technology experts–gives us confidence in the ultimate data products.”
The successful completion of the field test yielded valuable initial data, paving the way for the future research cruise to Papahānaumokuākea. The team aims to demonstrate a suite of technologies that can be deployed across coral reefs globally to protect them for generations.
The project is a collaboration among: UH, Queensland University of Technology (Australia), NOAA Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, the state’s Division of Aquatic Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
