Underwater communication is a challenging issue for underwater robotics. This is especially the case for swarm robotics in confined spaces and turbid waters where neither sonar nor light can be used. This paper presents a new perspective for addressing this issue. The approach is based on artificial electric sense, a sensing ability inspired from weakly electric fish that can perceive their surroundings and communicate within a group by interpreting the electric fields generated by themselves or by conspecifics. This concept is implemented on a heterogenous swarm of underwater robots, named subCULTron, which is able to cooperate in order to explore and monitor its environment in the harsh conditions of the Venice Laguna.

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.