MBARI researchers deploy new imaging system to study the movement of deep-sea octopus

MBARI researchers have developed an innovative imaging system that can be deployed at great depths underwater to study the movement of marine life. The team used the system to study deep-sea octopus and shared their findings in the scientific journal Nature.

EyeRIS (Remote Imaging System) can capture detailed three-dimensional visual data about the structures and movement of marine life in their natural deep-sea habitat. MBARI researchers integrated EyeRIS on board a remotely operated vehicle to observe deep-sea pearl octopus (Muusoctopus robustus) at the famous Octopus Garden offshore of Central California.

“In MBARI’s Bioinspiration Lab, we look to nature to find inspiration for tackling fundamental engineering challenges,” said Principal Engineer Kakani Katija. “Octopuses are fascinating subjects as they have no bones yet are able to move across complex underwater terrain with ease. Until now, it has been difficult to study their biomechanics in the field, but EyeRIS is a game changer for us.” 

“EyeRIS allowed us to follow several individuals as they moved, completely unconstrained, in their natural environment,” said Senior Research Specialist Crissy Huffard. “Our team was able to get 3D measurements of their arms in real-time as they crawled over the rough terrain of the deep seafloor.”

EyeRIS uses a specialized, high-resolution camera with a dense array of microlenses that collects simultaneous views of any object in its sight. Software uses that data to create imagery where every pixel in an image is in focus. EyeRIS can create a three-dimensional reconstruction of an animal's movements so researchers can observe individual features in stunning detail. MBARI researchers used EyeRIS to track the movements of specific points on an octopus’s arm, identifying areas of curvature and strain in real time as the animal crawled over the rugged seafloor.

“EyeRIS data showed that pearl octopus use temporary muscular joints in their arms when crawling, with strain and bend concentrated above and below the joint. This allows them to have simple, but sophisticated, control of their arms,” said Huffard. “The mechanisms of this simplified control could be valuable for designing octopus-inspired robots and other bioinspired technologies in the future.” 

EyeRIS is the latest example of how technology can help us better understand ocean life. This versatile new imaging system can study marine animals that live on the seafloor and in the water column.

“There is still so much to learn about marine life. EyeRIS will allow us to continue to study the movement and behavior of octopuses and other deep-sea animals in their natural environment using non-invasive techniques. I’m excited to see how this growing body of research and new technology sparks future bioinspired engineering innovation,” said Katija. 

The development of EyeRIS was made possible by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

About MBARI
MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) is a non-profit oceanographic research center founded in 1987 by the late Silicon Valley innovator and philanthropist David Packard. Our mission is to advance marine science and engineering to understand our changing ocean. Learn more at mbari.org.