Robots in the Deep Sea (ft. Schmidt Ocean Institute)

Exploring life in the deep-ocean midwater is a long-standing challenge for deep-sea research. The region between the surface and sea-floor, a space that constitutes the largest most biodiverse habitat on Earth, remains poorly understood due to the limitations of sampling its gelatinous, fragile inhabitants. Robots in the Deep documents recent innovations that allow midwater animals to be sampled in-situ, non-intrusively, with greater efficiency than ever. ROVs and new sampling systems are opening a window onto midwaters which, during these times of uncertainty surrounding deep-sea exploitation and its impacts, is crucial to how we approach stewardship in our planet's last frontier. Created in collaboration with Schmidt Ocean Institute.
Written, narrated and edited by Leo Richards.
Produced by Logan Mock-Bunting.
Featuring interviews with:
Brennan Philips (University of Rhode Island)
Kakani Katija (MBARI)
Peter Girguis (Harvard University)
Schmidt Ocean Institute: / schmidtocean
This film is being entered into the Jackson Wild film festival as a student entry.
00:00 - Introduction
01:25 - Meet ROV SuBastian
02:54 - Exploring the Auka Vent Field
04:55 - Sampling the Deep Midwaters
08:01 - Remote Imaging Systems
09:33 - In-Situ Sampling
10:19 - Digital Holotypes
11:52 - Pushing the Envelope
12:25 - Outro
#worldoceanday #deepsea #wildlife #nature #documentary #ocean #marinebiology #science #biology

[@iksarguards]

Not only is the name of the ROV SUBastian a small pun, but together with the ship Falkor it's a fantastic nod to The Never Ending Story. Sebastian being the lad that rides on Falkor the luck dragon. Well done, Schmidt Ocean Institute.

[@SchmidtOcean]

Thank you! "The Never Ending Story" was our founders' children's favorite book :)

[@LoverOfMuch]

I was about to comment the same thing! I love that book, and it's cool to see it referenced in such an incredible project 💕

[@melissasalasblair5273]

So true 🌟🌌

[@thatguydanny8681]

This is so sci-fi. All these scanners and drones, feel like something out of an alien movie!

[@Strawberrymilkdrink]

Welcome to the future

[@rubend9391]

Yes it does, and WE are the aliens.

[@patrickweissel5241]

kzbin.infoCoXHMk12a6g?feature=share

[@JoTracy]

Yes, and the knowledge gained from it can and will be used in Space exploration too Pioneering stuff How many frozen/ water/ocean liquid, worlds are out there?

[@domesticalyx]

It feels like deep sea research has been stagnant for such a long time, so great to see the technology moving on to help us understand more about this wonderful enviroment!

[@melissasalasblair5273]

Yes, hopefully some movement soon 🌌

[@christianv-h3278]

You're literally the only content creator on YT that I don't skip ads on. Gotta support the channel! I hope in the future that alongside this expanse of robotic exploration of the deep sea, it becomes also more associated with some manned submersibles as well! Beyond the human curiosity of wanting to "be there", there are some things that, for now, are only noticeable with the human eye.

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Thank you so much Christian, I really appreciate that, and completely agree with your points on manned subs - there’s a case to be made for both perspectives, but certainly I hope subs don’t disappear altogether as a secondary means of exploring the deep. My fingers are crossed for a trip down there one day 🤞🤞🤞

[@christianv-h3278]

​@@NaturalWorldFacts Well after a fairly long (decades-long!) pause, it seems there are slowly but steadily growing numbers of manned submersibles going to the bottom of the Challenger Deep! First David Cameron, then some researchers from the NHM in London, and most recently the Chinese Fendouzhe sub. Here's for a crewed descent into Challenger Deep, with the entire crew being Natural World Facts community members! 😄

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

@@christianv-h3278 Oh I would so be down for that! With you and Alex at the helm of course.

[@flynnmartienssen6459]

Amazing video the expansion in your style of presentation is really amazing. The production value of this video alone is through the roof. There are documentaries that pale in comparison.

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Thank you so so much Flynn!! Awesome to hear from you, and I really appreciate the support :)

[@MrTaxiRob]

This channel, SEA, and Fall Of Civilizations have the absolute best narrators in the English speaking world.

[@MrTaxiRob]

Oh yeah, and Cool Worlds. Professor Kipping is pretty darn good too.

[@zetagundamzz]

With how much I love following the rov nautilus, I'm surprised Schmidt ocean institute never popped up in my recommendation list. Great video! I hope it's well recieved at the film festival. 🤞🤞

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Cheers! And definitely check out more stuff by SOI, they’re involved with so much of the innovation at the forefront of marine science lately and it’s fantastic!!

[@SchmidtOcean]

Come over and join us!

[@anttam117]

Thank you for this video. This is the science content I’m looking for: non-bombastic, intelligent and mysterious. I’m not going to name any names, but there are some channels out there pushing really loud, really obnoxious, click batey, content that can barely hold a candle to this channel. Keep it up, please. This is really good stuff you’ve got going on.

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

I really appreciate this comment, truly! I love what I do, sticking to the science without the fanfare as it really doesn’t need it in order to be fascinating! This world is beautiful and mysterious as it is without need to exaggerate or bait people in. New video coming out on Tuesday about shipwreck/food-fall ecosystems which was just so much fun to work on! Hope to see you there, and thanks so much again for this. You’ve made my day.

[@sydneymomma11]

Well worth the wait, thank you for taking such great care in making your videos, they're such a highlight of my day! 💖

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

I’m so glad, thank you so much ☺️

[@Ganaha_Celosia_Priskos]

This was so insightful and well done! I really regret not pursuing marine bio after graduating college because that was my literal major. The ocean is so fascinating...

[@quantum5588]

this is fantastic! I truly feel like I learn more in 13min with your videos than I would with a 1 hour documentary.

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Thanks so much!!

[@deusexaethera]

9:35 - Okay, the RAD2 device is actually kind of terrifying. If you look closely, it has blender blades inside. You can see them spinning during the demo.

[@jon-marcyaden6265]

Very much appreciate this closer look at the technology that allows these beautiful views of the ocean. Great idea for a new doc! Excellent as always 🙏

[@crapsound]

What makes this excellent for me is the captions. A lot of names and terms I don't know and seeing them is a big help to understand. 😀

[@bug-zug]

for a small creator the production quality is insane! i could easily mistake any of your videos with a multi million dollar documentary! amazing job as always!!

[@Irongarrison.5764]

Ok, this was really cool, and it got me excited again about my major in college. It reminded me what im getting my mechanical degree for. Thank you so much for this amazing and informative video. Keep up the amazing work brother!❤

[@Beryllahawk]

Oh WELL done!!! Beautifully put together, well explained, and the narration is JUST enough without being in any way intrusive. Just wonderful! Those instruments are out of this world too! So fascinating - especially the dodecahedron. A Grabby Bot! I bet the creatures inside are utterly confused, and yet they aren't being hurt which just has to be of immense value and help. Better sampling, better quality of those samples, and no harm done to critter or human!

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Well said! ☺️ and thank you so much Sonja!

[@Nihility15]

Don’t mean to be a spoil sport but didn’t you see the blender?

[@rayven1234]

I have always wonderes where do you get such amazing footage? Absolutelu exhilirated everytine you drop a video!

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

In this case, almost entirely from Schmidt Ocean Instutute who co-produced this film with me! They’re a fantastic organisation, and they post a lot of their footage and showcase their research here on KZbin if you want to take a look - kzbin.info

[@TheT22463]

I don't know why this video isn't being pushed on KZbin but this video is amazing just like the rest of them

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Thanks Thomas! Yeah views are down lately, but I’m just thrilled to have the film out there!!

[@opalscorpion80]

This was so beautifully done ❤ 👏 also very much feeling Leo will be the new voice for nature, his voice is mesmerizing 🤩

[@theforesttroll]

I love how the sampel origami part, especially the lil mixer bit in the middle x3 I'm sure it's a precision instrument but it does look like the knives in a blender 😂

[@7Calvin60643]

I must say, you do a fantastic job! Your documentaries are extremely intelligent, detailed, and you use the best visuals. It’s hard to believe that this is not a full studio production company. I am a super fan and I look forward to your content! Keep up the fantastic work!

[@brettvv7475]

Can you believe this content is free?

[@geodude4490]

This is truly outstanding, it's like a different world but its the same, my only concern is that probably an environment never touched by humans, now can be vulnerable to what happens on the surface

[@benmcreynolds8581]

OMG, this has to be the coolest things ever!!!! No joke, I dream about exploring the natural world with something of this capabilities and level of technology. Holy cow!!

[@dharmasutraa3992]

you are a gentleman and a scholar - thank you for continuing to make these

[@danrebdominguez4610]

Hello good evening from Philippines nice content as always

[@BinroWasRight]

Brilliant as always! You are one of the few people I have interacted with whose passion for the deep-sea matches - and in your case, likely surpasses - my own. Cheers!

[@uyrackmi4560]

More videos please.. all your video are awesome.... Sending love ❣️.. from Philippines 🇵🇭

[@wailingalen]

Such alien landscapes right under our feet!! Those brine pools fascinate the heck out of me!! This is what life on an alien water world look like !!!

[@Allfaxnocaps]

People that do this kind of work and went to college for it, are so lucky. I’ve always been so fascinated with the ocean

[@Catlady77777]

You are amazing, Leo Richards! Love all your videos... 🌻

[@wegwejj]

i love sci-fi feeling content like deep space, deep ocean, mysterious forests, etc. it just scratches an itch in my brain which i love

[@mlbh2os211]

Another fantastic video. I look forward to each and every one!

[@monisrajput8056]

Honestly broadcasting level content. Great narration

[@krvs9320]

I love reading all the positive comments you get, it must be really heartwarming seeing that your work is deeply appreciated. For me your videos are a safe place after stressful days and your voice puts me to sleep even tho I fight it cause your videos are so interesting. Once again amazing work, can’t wait to see how far you’ll get ☺️

[@brettvv7475]

You're so good at this. One of my absolute favorite channels.

[@jodyknight]

I'm so glad I found this channel. Amazing video thanks, see/hear you next time.

[@LaSerpentDEden]

Glad to see MBARI footage and representation, I wonder if you've heard of the Nautilus Team? They stream in KZbin and its some of the most amazing footage I've ever seen. Free for all to view.

[@timwilliams1238]

Excellent video, and no crappy advertising.

[@sophiagothistry1317]

Fantasy video! I love learning about the new technology! Definitely sharing, thank you!

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Thanks Sophia!! :D

[@tjs5960]

Love all the videos you post. Send us more great stuff.

[@svenvdroest]

always a good day when i see a new upload thanks for all your effort! love the vids

[@0B2D64]

this is such a cool collaboration!

[@MisterMeowstic]

I LOVE HUMAN INGENUITY SO MUCH I WANT TO WATCH OUR DESIRE FOR KNOWLEDGE TO CONTINUE TO BRING US STAGGERING INNOVATION IN TECHNOLOGY!!! This robot is so cool I can't believe it's even real!! It's like straight out of Metroid Prime

[@mollymescher5626]

Great video! Thank you for doing what you do!

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Thanks Molly :)

[@hayley44448]

Loooove your soothing voice and beautiful content.watching from New Zealand 🇳🇿

[@alexlakota3598]

Thank you for the new video 💙

[@kuitaranheatmorus9932]

This was such amazing video and I adore it

[@pyro2631]

This is all so cool. Thanks for sharing this for us

[@Emily-ck9ji]

I don't know why I never get notifications of a new upload. I only saw this was posted a day ago because it was recommended to me while watching the most recent MBARI video. Aside from that, I continue to be impressed by how much research and work you put into making these videos. I always feel like I've walked away learning something new by the end of your videos.

[@Phoenix_1982_MD]

Just beautiful ❤️ thank you for this video

[@elijahrobertscinema6351]

What a sweet video! Love your work.

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Thanks Elijah :)

[@_KlootMalloot_]

goddamn what a awesome surprise to see in my sub box when i'm free!

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Hope you enjoy! This one was really exciting to work on

[@pushrod3022]

You do such an amazing job and thank you for these videos.

[@Nikki8242-d1ck]

Love your videos! Keep up the great work bro!

[@Lugmillord]

Really cool topic for a video! We are so fortunate to live at a time of such rapid discovery. It's exciting what we'll discover even in the near future. Not only in the deep but also in space. Those upside-down lakes are incredible! Each of your videos shows me something I have never seen before. 5:33 I lack the words to describe how amazing this looks. 10:16 This squid looks like an angel. P.S. I sent you another mail with "specimen" :)

[@demirbenlioglu2415]

Your videos inspire and excite me for and about life

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

That’s so wonderful to hear!! Thank you

[@adamespeland7234]

Fascinating 😮

[@jasoninmichigan6078]

Falkor (too) coming soon!

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

And what a fantastic ship it is!!

[@FriendlyKat]

This is so cool! It did feel like the deep dark was stagnant for quite some time, but with this cool new tech, hopefully we can learn more about the deep dark and keep it clean as much as possible and without hurting it for science! Fun Fact: Did you know we know MORE about our own moon than we do our own oceans? The deep dark has ALWAYS fascinated me since I was a kid. Still does to this day! I hope we can learn some exciting things down there in the years to come!

[@helenm2169]

your videos are fantastic I'm learning so much x

[@dannysullivan12345]

Was watching bbc dynasties 2 now I’m relaxing with this:)

[@unitedredoubl5511]

I love this video, and I love the channel

[@mikemeetstec]

This is so good to sleep to. Thanks!

[@saintsaltine3909]

Why are scientists always depicted as cold, callous professionals incapable of feelings. On the Sebastian’s first journey, the team wrote “congrats Sebastian” with a heart on its storage containers. The containers themselves are labeled things like “Happy 4” and such. I love the love scientists have for the world

[@StuffWithJax]

This video is great, It’s also great that u blew up

[@ashadshaikh]

This is crazy how magnificent and truly beautiful. This makes me want work for them

[@rorojata]

Wow😍, wunderschön👍❤️ Send you hello from Germany 👋😊

[@ck2503]

Fantastic.

[@thefisherking78]

Awesome!

[@NeM3sSiS]

Great video

[@melissasalasblair5273]

Thank you so much. WooHoo Robots+The Deeeep 👻 👾🐙

[@QuestionsStuff]

You will win the Jackson Wild film festival, Leo ;)

[@pedrojuangutierez3117]

Funtastic. I would like work there ! ;)))

[@Irongarrison.5764]

Im currently in college for Mechanical Engineering. I intend on designing, manufacturing, and operating these types of machines. Atleast that's the dreem, i hope i make it.

[@CosmicShieldMaiden]

Leo♥️♥️

[@koichihirose1185]

Is that AERØHEAD - Fragments I heard?

[@desperatelyseekingrealnews]

"wouldn't it be nice if we could just reach out and grab it" Alien abductions explained.

[@marobakrma]

a simple question who is filming what you call ROV from a distance in the deep ? when watching this ROV .

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Great question! Nobody :) as you’ll see, there are no external shots of the ROV once it’s actually in the water as it’s not safe to have two vehicles close together

[@marobakrma]

@@NaturalWorldFacts thanks alot for your reply appreciated

[@yxngfxsh3632]

Love the videos man what is the background music that you use? It’s so calming

[@zzzice]

curious if there are any ROV footages of mesopelagic fish- or are they sensitive to light and can avoid ROV?

[@TWITCH.JAVASAR]

When you getting your Netflix/Hulu deal????

[@Mossyz.]

You got my sub mate .🌹

[@mr.lonewolf8199]

I got vibes of Abyss movie 😁

[@jackt3356]

Wtf this is so cool

[@historish165]

So, the plastic dodecahedron's a blender, right?

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

No, it takes a small tissue sample but does not kill or remove the animal :D which is a HUGE step for marine sampling! Future iterations are going to aim to collect only residual e-DNA of the animal from the water, eliminating the need to even extract tissue

[@atiwich1999]

​@@NaturalWorldFacts replying on a 1 year old vid. Respect.

[@Tyriad_]

This is really cool and incredibly exciting and groundbreaking and all, but I'm imagining if aliens just showed up at my house one day, scanned me with some incomprehensible technology, and then all the sudden I'm just in a goddamn origami blender. Humans are FREAKS ☠️

[@Kollege_Turnschuh]

I honestly can't believe they called it this way, though. I mean c'mon SUBastian? Im dying

[@animacorrea3477]

Can I get the soundtrack ID?

[@imparanoiiid]

10:00 Why does it look like it’s blending it ?

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

I believe it’s creating a flow to suction up water containing e-DNA from the chamber ☺️ it’s a non-intrusive sampling method

[@imparanoiiid]

@@NaturalWorldFacts u could get a lot more dna if u blended it

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

😂 Oh I won’t deny that… but truth is you don’t need a lot, in fact just the ‘essence’ it leaves behind in the water is enough. Blending it would be unnecessary and (obviously) needlessly destructive.

[@serkeien]

​@@NaturalWorldFacts I watched a lot of these midwater livestreams and it is essentially a blender. That enclosing robot arm is specifically for collecting DNA, so the samples are blended then suctioned up, along with the enclosed water & eDNA. like any sampling, they're pretty selective about only taking what is deemed necessary, and for something like a siphonophore, they can collect just a small part of the animal to get what they need.

[@jeffreybright6354]

Are you sure about gelatinous creatures in the midwater outnumbering any other organism? I thought insects are the most numerous organisms on the planet

[@say.yes.]

Imagine a species having a warehouse like place where they store and collect dead humans. I remember being a child and imagining how hard it must be for animals because we separated them from their family in such cruel ways with no promise of return or even survival for our entertainment. Then again we do live in a patriarchy, so humans all over the globe receive the same treatment depending on their circumstances.

[@skybluskyblueify]

The investigation of the planet-wide midwater seems like it'd be a never-ending story* because of how much space there is to explore. [* lol] BTW what the difference between this organization and MBARI? Compare and contrast.

[@duneydan7993]

God, looking at the footage I thought RAD was some sort of scientific underwater blender.

[@bigphathairydheel9834]

👍👍👍

[@franciscadasilva2984]

🙏🙌❤💚

[@purplehaze2358]

"Meet ROV SuBastian" Not sure how to feel about its name being a play on words using "submarine" and "Sabastian".

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Oh why’s that?

[@cxsey8587]

Is it just me or is the gripper literally a blender?

[@thehumancanary131]

Doesn't seem much down there that would look good in a frying pan...😛

[@Evistopheles]

They literally called it Subastian 😂 And the other thing is EyeRis? Whoever was in charge of naming has the ideal job and is hopefully getting paid well.

[@suitt1]

I was thinking more that whoever named the crafts were fans of The Neverending Story. The boats name is Falkor, and the submersible is named sebastian, the two main characters in that movie.😁