What looked like a swarm of 100-pound robots nearly colliding in the lake behind FIU’s Green Library was actually a glimpse into the future of marine environmental monitoring. Led by Ph.D. graduate Paulo Padrão, FIU researchers are pushing the boundaries of autonomous robotics—teaching machines to think, adapt, and scout ecosystems without constant human input.
But the innovation doesn’t stop at the water’s edge. With support from the Department of Defense, FIU has built a cutting-edge water tank facility at Biscayne Bay Campus, serving as the real-world anchor for a high-fidelity digital twin. This virtual replica allows researchers to simulate experiments remotely, saving time, money, and effort.
💡 Want to know how AI and digital twin technology are transforming environmental science?
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