Robot net washer warns about gaps in net in six seconds

Norwegian company Watbots presented its new battery-powered net cleaner for the first time at Aqua Nor 2025. According to the company, the solution can provide improvements in both operations, safety and fish health.

"This is the world's first double-sided, battery-powered and autonomous robot," Watbots chief executive Frank Eriksen told Fish Farming Expert's Norwegian sister site, Kyst.no.

The robot, which consists of two synchronised units working on opposite sides of the net, cleans at the biofilm level and is developed with both fish and net health in focus.

"If you have a break in the net, it takes around six seconds from the time we discover it until the operator has been notified. We are quite alone in being able to notify so quickly," said Erikesen.

Full overview of status

Watbots has also developed a digital system that provides a full overview of the condition of the net.

"We have created a digital model of all the nets. With a simple map, you can see the entire organisation, zoom in on locations and get the status of each net. The system uses a traffic light model, and provides alerts with images if gaps are detected," said Eriksen.

When the service boat or divers are going to enter a site, the robot can be put into a separate "diver mode".

"The robot then documents the diver's work with film, and then moves on to the next critical hole. This provides increased health and safety and full traceability."

Cracked the codes

After nearly five years of development, testing and adjustments, the company is on its way from prototype to market. The product is based on five patents and combines magnetic and belt drive with advanced sensors, AI and a cloud-based platform.

"Now we have cracked all the technical codes. We are very confident in the product."

In Askvoll, north of Bergen, the company has established its own development station, with only 10 metres between the laboratory and the test cage.

"This has meant that we have accomplished more in six months than we were able to in five years," explained Erikson.

Ready for pilot customers

Watbots is showing off version 3.0 of the robot, and is working on small adjustments before 3.1 is produced in a series of 10. These will be sent out to pilot customers for testing and approval before full-scale production begins.

"I don't want to deliver something unfinished to the market. First, the pilot customers will qualify the product, and once it's approved, we're ready to deliver."

The response of those attending Aqua Nor has been very positive, according to the Watbots manager.

"It has been very good, and we have received great feedback. We hope to take a quantum leap into the industry with this solution."

The company already has 640 pre-orders for the product.

“We have to deliver – it's that simple. But it has to be a finished product,” said Eriksen.