This Mermaid Robot Helps Scientists Hunt for Sunken Treasure

OceanOne, a humanoid submersible created by Stanford University's Robotics Lab, is submerged more than 330 metres beneath the Mediterranean Sea's surface.

The ground was illuminated by a nearby smaller aid robot adjusting its spotlight.

Then OceanOne gently dug its fingers into the sand at the wreck's base and began probing the area.

According to Oussama Khatib, head of the Stanford Robotics Lab, "I'm seeing through the robot's eyes and I'm touching via the robot's hands."

Sand was lightly combed by the robot's hands. It paused, repositioned its hold, and pulled a little object from a momentary puff of silt.

The core technology Khatib is referring to is haptic feedback.

Haptic technology—also known as kinesthetic communication or 3D touch—creates the sensation of touch by exerting forces, vibrations, or motions on the user.

Additionally, it is assisting researchers like Khatib in opening up new areas of study.