Biorobotics aims at developing artifacts as synthesis and simulation of living systems. Herein, an autonomous agent inspired to Lampetra fluviatilis that was developed in the framework of the LAMPETRA Project, has been described. Lampreys are established models for studying higher vertebrate locomotion, including humans. The LAMPETRA robotic artifact mimicked the flexibility, as well as the passive dynamic movement of the real animal, thanks to the muscle-like actuation system relying on the use of direct magnet interaction, and closely mimicking the central pattern generators (CPGs) architecture of the animal spinal cord. Furthermore, the robot included a binocular vision system to track objects and avoid obstacles, as well as an artificial skin that made it waterproof and compliant. This biomimetic agent can be used to interact with abiotic and biotic components of aquatic ecosystems, as well as could be interfaced with the central nervous systems of real fish creating a biohybrid configuration.

Fish collective behaviours provide several benefits to conspecific individuals, although mixed-species aggregations have been reported to often occur. However, the mechanisms promoting phenotypically heterogeneous fish aggregations have been poorly explored so far. Herein, the neon tetra Paracheirodon innesi was selected as ideal model organism to test the role of visible phenotypic traits in promoting fish shoaling. Robotic fish replicas of different colour (e.g. biomimetic livery, blue livery, red livery, grey livery), but with the morphology inspired to P. innesi , were developed to test the affiliation behaviour of neon tetra individuals towards fish replicas with different phenotypic traits. P. innesi individuals showed a decreasing preference in shoaling with the biomimetic replica, the blue replica, the red replica and the grey replica. This could be due to the greater visibility of the blue colour even in dark conditions in these fish. Furthermore, an increased reddening of the livery is often caused by physiological processes related to a non-optimal behavioural status. The time spent in shoaling with each fish replica was strongly influenced by different ecological contexts. The longest shoaling duration was observed when a biomimetic predator was present, while the shortest shoaling duration was recorded in presence of food. This confirms the hypothesis that heterogeneous shoals are promoted by the anti-predator benefits, and reduced by competition. Our animal-robot interaction study allowed to understand basic features of the behavioural ecology favouring heterogeneous aggregations in shoaling fish, as well as provided a novel paradigm, based on biohybridization, for the artificial life synthetic methods.

In the wake of climate change and water quality crisis, it is crucial to find novel ways to extensively monitor the environment and to detect ecological changes early. Biomonitoring has been found to be an effective way of observing the aggregate effect of environmental fluctuations. In this paper, we outline the development of biohybrids which will autonomously observe simple organisms (microorganisms, algae, mussels etc.) and draw conclusions about the state of the water body. These biohybrids will be used for continuous environmental monitoring and to detect sudden (anthropologically or ecologically catastrophic) events at an early stage. Our biohybrids are being developed within the framework of project Robocoenosis, where the operational area planned are Austrian lakes. Additionally, we discuss the possible use of various species found in these waters and strategies for biomonitoring. We present early prototypes of devices that are being developed for monitoring of organisms.