Stanford’s robot diver OceanOneK impresses during demo at Singapore Oceanarium
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A demonstration in the Singapore Oceanarium’s Shipwreck Habitat highlighted the ability of Stanford University’s remote-controlled humanoid robot OceanOneK to handle delicate objects.
ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
SINGAPORE – OceanOneK, Stanford University’s advanced underwater robot, performed with the precision of a seasoned diver in the Singapore Oceanarium’s Shipwreck Habitat on May 6, offering a glimpse of what deep-sea exploration might look like in the future.
Weighing 300kg, the humanoid robot is equipped with eight multi-directional thrusters that allow it to move with precision in confined underwater environments.
It is operated remotely by a human pilot using a combination of haptic feedback and stereoscopic 3D vision, enabling the operator to “feel” resistance, texture and movement, while simultaneously seeing through the robot’s eyes.
This immersive system allows for delicate, human-like interaction with fragile objects on the seabed.
During the demonstration, OceanOneK descended into the water and retrieved a vase weighing about 500g, highlighting its ability to handle delicate objects – a key requirement for tasks such as underwater archaeology and infrastructure inspection.
OceanOneK is a remotely operated robot designed to explore deep-sea environments at depths of up to 1,000m. Haptic feedback and stereoscopic 3D vision enables its operator to “feel” resistance, texture and movement while seeing through the robot’s eyes.
ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
The robot can reach depths of up to 1,000m and is designed for environments inaccessible to human divers. Developed at a cost of about $5 million, it is the successor to OceanOne and has been deployed in expeditions, including to the wreck of the Francesco Crispi, an Italian passenger ship that sank in 1943.
The private demonstration on May 6 was attended by students and academics from Nanyang Technological University, National University of Singapore and Singapore University of Technology and Design, as well as members of Singapore’s National Robotics Programme.
OceanOneK was first unveiled in Singapore at the Milipol TechX Summit 2026 and will be on display at the Singapore Oceanarium until May 7.
