A teenager has won a European Union award for an autonomous “sea turtle robot” that monitors coral reefs. Evan Budz says his device detects replicated coral bleaching with 96% accuracy.

Coral bleaching, driven by warming oceans, is one of the gravest threats to marine life. Early detection gives scientists a chance to act before reefs die.

Budz’s robot swims like a turtle, quietly observing reefs without disturbing them. The design borrows from nature to serve nature.

The EU award recognises young innovators tackling real-world problems. Budz’s invention shows how a single idea, built with care, can serve science.

Affordable monitoring tools are vital because reefs are vast and marine scientists are few. The robot could help researchers spot bleaching early and respond faster, giving reefs a fighting chance.

Reefs around the world are under stress. Monitoring them by hand is slow work. A small robot can cover more ground quietly. Budz hopes other students will build on his design.