A specialized Boxfish Luna ROV is to be deployed for a live-streamed robotic descent to Superior Maximus on June 6th, 2026, at 1pm, marking the first exploration of the deepest point in the Great Lakes in more than four decades.
Operating more than 55 kilometers offshore in Lake Superior, the cinema-grade Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) from Boxfish Robotics must withstand extreme freshwater conditions at depths exceeding 400 meters, where the environmental pressure is over 40 times greater than at the surface. Award-winning filmmakers and freshwater explorers Yvonne Drebert and Zach Melnick of Inspired Planet Productions are piloting the high-tech platform, returning to a dark, isolated ecosystem that has remained virtually unexamined since scientists last descended in a manned submersible 41 years ago.
The expedition is leveraging the advanced imaging and structural engineering of the Boxfish Luna ROV to search for uniquely adapted deepwater life in near-total darkness. A primary technical objective of the mission is to locate and document the Kiyi, a rare deepwater Cisco now found only in Lake Superior, with the goal of capturing the first-ever live photographs of the fish species within its natural habitat.
To maximize the scientific value of the deployment, fisheries research biologist Shawn Sitar from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has joined the operational team. Sitar is utilizing the ROV’s real-time video feed to investigate the emergence of “zombie fish,” which are emaciated siscowet lake trout increasingly found throughout Lake Superior. Because these giant, specially adapted trout are believed to originate from these deep, lightless abysses, the robotic platform provides a rare window to analyze potential ecological shifts occurring within these unseen depths.
Beyond the Kiyi and Siscowet lake trout, operators anticipate using the vehicle’s optical systems to document deepwater Sculpin, Mysis shrimp, and extensive forests of colorful Hydra.
The live-streamed deployment is scheduled for 6 June at 1pm local time, utilizing a primary weather window that extends through 9 June to account for shifting offshore conditions. The operation will broadcast live on YouTube, allowing a global audience of engineers, scientists, and the public to watch the Boxfish Luna power a new era of deepwater freshwater exploration in the waters surrounding one of the world’s largest power plants.
The mission serves as a critical component of “Hidden Below: The Great Lakes,” an ongoing initiative focused on bridging robotic technology, field science, and real-time public engagement to map unexplored aquatic environments.
