Archive · 26 Oct 2025
China Develops Stealthy 'Ghost Jellyfish' Drone for Underwater Missions
Imagine a robot that looks just like a jellyfish!
Chinese scientists have built one called the "Underwater Phantom".
It's made to move quietly and secretly underwater.
This robot is great at looking at things underwater without bothering the animals.
It has a special body and tentacles, and it's tiny and light, like a real jellyfish.
The robot uses very little power.
It can even see and recognize things like a school's logo or a clownfish!
This new robot can do important jobs like explore the deep sea and watch out for problems.
A jellyfish-like robot, the "Underwater Phantom", was developed by Chinese scientists.
The robot is designed for covert underwater missions and mimics a real jellyfish.
It is made with a hydrogel electrode material and uses an electrostatic hydraulic actuator.
The robot is equipped with a camera and AI chip to identify targets.
The robot was showcased on CCTV and can independently sense and identify objects.
- Who
- Chinese scientists led by Tao Kai
- What
- Developed a jellyfish-like robot drone for underwater missions.
- When
- Showcased in August on a CCTV science program.
- Where
- Developed at Northwestern Polytechnical University.
- Why
- To perform covert monitoring, observe ecosystems, and inspect underwater structures.
- Robot Name
- Underwater Phantom
- Developer
- Tao Kai, Northwestern Polytechnical University
- Diameter
- 120mm
- Weight
- 56 grams
- Material
- Hydrogel electrode
- Power Consumption
- 28.5 milliwatts