A biodegradable robot boat was able to study water conditions without adding to pollution.

Scientists at Swiss Federal Technology Institute of Lausanne (EPFL) claim to have created an edible device that glides across water using biodegradable fuel.

Authorities said this boat-shaped device offers a safe alternative to plastic environmental monitors.

The robot is made from biodegradable and edible materials, instead of plastic or batteries that can pollute nature. Its outer shell is even made from fish food, so if it breaks down in the water, it can actually feed aquatic animals.

The robot moves by using a natural process called the Marangoni effect - the same method some insects use to skate on water.

It runs on a safe chemical reaction between citric acid and baking soda, which produces gas and pushes a fuel made from propylene glycol. This fuel changes the surface tension of the water, helping the robot move forward.

Researchers said the robot, which is only five centimetres, can move for several minutes and does not leave behind any harmful waste, making it a good alternative to traditional water-monitoring robots made from plastics and electronics.

The team at EPFL, led by Professor Dario Floreano and PhD student Shuhang Zhang, says the robot can be used to monitor water conditions like pH, temperature, pollution, and even tiny organisms.

This innovation makes long-term, widespread environmental monitoring more sustainable, especially in sensitive or protected natural habitats.

They plan to release many of these robots into lakes and rivers to collect data safely. Future applications may include delivering nutrients or medication to aquatic animals.