According to the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), autonomous robots developed over a 40-year research history are enabling scientists to explore extreme environments like coral reefs, disaster zones, and space. These machines extend human reach into areas that are too dangerous, remote, or delicate to access directly, relying on advanced perception tools and machine learning to navigate complex terrain.
Robotics Engineering and Real-World Challenges
CSIRO’s robotics research spans more than four decades, addressing practical problems across agriculture, mining, environmental monitoring, and space exploration. According to CSIRO Robotics Engineer Ted Vanderfeen, robots do not replace people but rather extend human capability. “Robots are helping us answer questions and explore the world in ways we couldn’t otherwise,” Vanderfeen stated. Hardware and software engineers work in teams to build machines like the ANYbotics ANYmal robot, which uses CSIRO’s Catpack perception technology to climb stairs and traverse uneven outdoor terrain that blocks traditional wheeled devices.
Biomimicry and Legged Machine Design
By studying how animals move, climb, and grip, roboticists practice biomimicry to build machines suited for rough ground. According to CSIRO, legged systems maintain better stability on uneven surfaces than wheels or tracks. The organisation’s Syropod family includes the Syropod hexapod—a six-legged walking robot modeled on insects—which traverses unstructured terrain that blocks conventional vehicles. Additionally, two small Gizmo robots inspect and map ceiling and floor cavities in confined spaces that are unsafe for human workers.
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Hexapod robots like CSIRO’s Syropod can often keep moving even if one leg is damaged or loses contact with the ground.
Soft Robotics in Marine Conservation
Soft robotics utilizes flexible and compliant materials inspired by living organisms to handle fragile objects gently. According to CSIRO and CHARM (Coral Husbandry Automated Raceway Machine), researchers developed a world-first soft robotic gripper designed to transfer baby corals during reef restoration. Dr Josh Pinskier, a CSIRO Soft Robotics Scientist, noted that the gripper replicates human hand dexterity. “This gripper replicates the dexterity of a human hand, allowing it to handle delicate coral tissue without damaging them, while being strong enough to lift various sizes,” Dr Pinskier explained. The tool uses AI-powered generative design algorithms to secure optimal structures for handling delicate coral tissue.
Autonomous Navigation and Machine Learning
Autonomy allows systems to perform tasks with minimal supervision using sensors and software to interpret their surroundings. According to CSIRO, autonomy is vital when communication is delayed or restricted in caves, disaster zones, or space. On the International Space Station, CSIRO’s multi-resolution scanner builds 3D maps to assist robotic systems, while terrestrial versions help robots navigate lava tubes similar to those on the Moon and Mars. Furthermore, machine learning handles the “think” phase of the sense-think-act cycle by letting computers recognize patterns from large datasets. CSIRO researchers apply this capability to detect crown-of-thorns starfish on the Great Barrier Reef through real-time underwater image analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a robot in the context of scientific research?
According to CSIRO, a robot is a machine that carries out complex tasks automatically to gather information, solve problems, and work safely in hazardous environments like bushfire zones and deep underwater areas.
Why do engineers use hexapod or quadruped designs instead of wheels?
Legged robots can step over obstacles and maintain stability on rough, uneven terrain such as rocky cave systems, coral reefs, or lunar landscapes where wheeled machines typically struggle.
What is the difference between human-in-the-loop and human-on-the-loop systems?
Human-in-the-loop systems keep people involved in important decisions, even when AI or robotic systems perform much of the work. Human-on-the-loop systems operate with a high degree of autonomy, where humans set the overall mission and monitor performance, intervening only when necessary.