Boxfish Robotics is developing a specialized underwater robotic platform to support imaging in deepwater and low-visibility environments as part of the Hidden Below: The Great Lakes documentary project.
Led by filmmakers Yvonne Drebert and Zach Melnick, the project focuses on capturing underwater activity across the Great Lakes using robotic systems designed for operation in complex freshwater conditions.
Platform Development for Freshwater Deployment
As technology partner for the project, Boxfish Robotics is engineering a dedicated system tailored to the challenges of freshwater exploration, including variable visibility, depth, and terrain.
The platform draws on remotely operated and autonomous system design approaches, supporting controlled maneuverability and positioning for imaging in sensitive or hard-to-access environments. These capabilities are intended to enable observation of natural behaviors while minimizing disturbance to surrounding habitats.
In parallel with vehicle development, the company is advancing onboard imaging systems to improve visual clarity and depth perception, supporting both scientific observation and cinematic capture.
Craig Anderson, Co-founder of Boxfish, commented, “Hidden Below reflects exactly why Boxfish underwater robots are perfectly positioned to support science and enable stories that would otherwise remain unseen.
“Working with Inspired Planet Productions shows the impact of aligning technological innovation with research and filmmaking. Together, we are developing a new visual approach that will allow audiences to observe underwater ecosystems with an enhanced sense of depth and presence, revealing the hidden complexity of life below the surface.”
Enabling Access to Complex Underwater Environments
The use of unmanned underwater systems allows access to environments that are typically difficult to study using conventional methods. Project deployments in Lake Superior have included operations in remote island regions and deeper offshore locations, where robotic systems are used to observe species activity and habitat interactions.
This approach supports the collection of visual data that can complement existing research methods, offering additional insight into freshwater ecosystems.
Integration of Real-Time and Cinematic Operations
Alongside long-form documentary production, the project incorporates live-streamed exploration supported by the use of unmanned underwater systems.
These operations enable real-time observation of underwater environments, combining robotic mobility with continuous visual capture. Previous missions have included exploration of submerged geological features such as Superior Shoal, highlighting the use of robotic platforms in large-scale freshwater environments.
Advancing Unmanned Underwater Imaging
Through its involvement in the project, Boxfish Robotics is contributing to the development of unmanned underwater systems for imaging and exploration.
By aligning platform design with the requirements of scientific and documentary applications, the company’s technology supports expanded access to freshwater environments and more detailed observation of underwater ecosystems.
