Dr. Gregory Dudek, together with PhD candidates Junaed Sattar and Anqi Xu of McGill University school of computer science in Montreal, Canada, have developed AQUA 2: a robot which can move on land as well as swim and dive in the water.

The autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) uses six independently controlled fins to offer a highly maneuverable underwater sensor platform.The arrangement of highly compliant thrusting surfaces results in a vehicle that poses no danger to humans or sea life and can land or take-off with minimal impact. Tested to a depth of 120 feet, the robot has an intended operating range from the shoreline to 100 feet.

Showcased as a part of the G8/G2O international media center, it is ideal for a range of tasks in environmental inspection and reclamation, aquaculture and national defense.