Magnetic-Foot Robots Walk Ship Hulls to Scrub Marine Growth

Timothy Wong did not realize at the time that his dives off the coast of Rockport would point him toward a singular mission. The hours he spent studying the wheels and gears of robotics were also quietly guiding him toward a stubborn practical problem: how to remove unwanted sea matter from giant ships in need of cleaning.

That problem is marine biofouling, the buildup of barnacles, algae, and other organisms on ship hulls. It increases drag, drives up fuel consumption, and can transport invasive species between ports. Cleaning a massive vessel is dangerous and costly, often requiring divers or dry docks and taking the ship out of service.

Wong’s answer draws on robots that move like a Roomba but stick like a magnet. The machines walk on magnetic feet across a ship’s steel hull, scrubbing away sea growth while withstanding waves and currents. Instead of falling off, they cling to the surface and methodically cover it, reaching areas that are difficult for humans to access.

The approach combines Wong’s diving experience with mechanical insight from wheels and gears. The goal is not just a cleaner hull but a safer, more efficient way to maintain the global fleet. If successful, magnetic walking robots could reduce the need for risky manual scraping and help ships stay cleaner between dry dock visits. For now, the concept remains a promising example of how robotics can tackle messy, high-stakes industrial work.