A research team from Northwestern Polytechnical University, led by Professor Tao Kai from the School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, has developed a fully transparent, jellyfish-shaped bionic robot designed for intelligent underwater exploration and real-time environmental monitoring, according to reports.
Nicknamed the &ldquo;Underwater Phantom,&rdquo; the robot is nearly invisible when submerged. 
Measuring just 120 millimeters in diameter and weighing 56 grams, it is powered by the team&rsquo;s independently developed electrohydraulic artificial muscles and advanced hydrogel electrode materials, the Science and Technology Daily reported.
These innovations allow the robot to closely replicate the smooth, vortex-based propulsion of real jellyfish, ensuring efficient and nearly silent movement. 
With a power consumption of just 28.5 milliwatts, the robot is capable of long-duration and covert underwater operations.
Artificial intelligence has been deeply integrated into the bionic platform. 
The robot features a miniature camera module and an embedded AI processing chip, enabling it to maintain stable hovering in dynamic aquatic environments and accurately identify specific underwater objects.
Professor Tao explained that the robot&rsquo;s ultra-low power use, quiet operation, and high-level biomimicry make it particularly suited for deep-sea monitoring, observation in ecologically sensitive zones, and precision inspections of underwater infrastructure. 
The innovation, he added, represents a significant breakthrough in overcoming key technological challenges faced in extreme deep-sea exploration.

Transparent jellyfish robot swims underwater silently

Chinese scientists create AI-powered, transparent jellyfish robot for deep-sea exploration

China Unveils Transparent Jellyfish-Like Robot

Chinese scientists create AI-powered, transparent jellyfish robot for deep-sea exploration

October 26, 2025 | 18:15 IST