China Unveils 'Underwater Phantom' Stealth Jellyfish Drone for Covert Surveillance

Innovative Bionic Design for Covert Operations

A research team from China's Northwestern Polytechnical University has successfully developed a novel, fully transparent, jellyfish-mimicking drone designed for stealth underwater surveillance. Nicknamed the 'Underwater Phantom,' this bionic robot is engineered to be nearly indistinguishable from real jellyfish when submerged, enabling highly covert operations in aquatic environments.

The project was led by Professor Tao Kai from the university's School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering in Xian, Shaanxi province. The drone's innovative design and capabilities were reported on October 25, 2025.

Advanced Features and Stealth Capabilities

The 'Underwater Phantom' boasts several key features that contribute to its stealth and effectiveness:

• Transparent Body: The robot features a transparent, umbrella-like body with tentacles, closely mimicking the natural form of a jellyfish.
• Material Innovation: It is constructed from a specialized hydrogel electrode material developed by the research team.
• Compact Size: The device is remarkably compact, measuring only 120mm (4.7 inches) in diameter and weighing just 56 grams (two ounces).
• Biomimetic Propulsion: Movement is achieved using an electrostatic hydraulic actuator, which mimics the neural signals controlling muscle contraction and relaxation in jellyfish. This allows for efficient, vortex-based propulsion.
• Ultra-Low Power and Silent Operation: Operating at a mere 28.5 milliwatts, the drone produces almost no physical or acoustic disturbance, making long-term covert missions feasible.
• Integrated AI: Equipped with a miniature camera module and an embedded artificial intelligence processing chip, the robot can accurately identify specific underwater targets through machine learning and maintain stable hovering.

Professor Tao Kai highlighted the robot's 'low power consumption, near-silent operation and lifelike design' as unique advantages for deep-sea covert monitoring.

Applications in Surveillance and Environmental Monitoring

The primary application of the 'Underwater Phantom' is intelligent detection and real-time monitoring in various aquatic environments. Its stealth capabilities make it suitable for a range of sensitive tasks, including:

• Deep-sea covert monitoring.
• Observing fragile ecosystems without disturbance.
• Performing precise inspections of underwater structures.
• Tracking underwater fish populations.

The development represents a significant advancement in addressing technical challenges associated with deep-sea exploration in extreme environments. Northwestern Polytechnical University has a recognized history in robotics research, including bio-inspired designs.