BIKI was a real consumer underwater camera drone made by Robosea. Its fish-like body and moving tail inspired the “bionic robot fish” label, but “world’s first” was Robosea’s marketing claim, not a historical first independently established by the available evidence. BIKI records underwater video; it is not a live-streaming, fully autonomous artificial fish. In 2026, Robosea still lists it online, but current price, stock and software support are unverified.
What is BIKI?
BIKI V1.0 is a small unmanned underwater vehicle designed for recreational exploration, snorkeling, diving and underwater photography. Beijing-based Robosea described it as a consumer “RoboFish”; the manual says its compact form was inspired by a boxfish. It is better understood as a camera drone with fish-inspired propulsion than as an autonomous research animal. The BIKI V1.0 manual outlines its intended uses and design.
What “bionic” means in BIKI’s design
Here, “bionic” refers to borrowing features of fish locomotion and form. A motor oscillates the rear caudal fin from side to side to generate thrust, rather than relying on exposed propellers. Robosea presented that approach as quieter and more energy-efficient than propeller propulsion, but the published sources do not establish an independent comparative test. Its fish-like appearance also does not make it a biological organism, an AI animal or a fully autonomous robot.
The tail-driven body can move as it swims, which creates a practical camera-stability challenge. BIKI included a gimbal intended to keep the camera level; a 2017 Forbes preview raised the question of how well footage would stay stable while the chassis moved. The gimbal is a design feature, not proof of professional-grade stabilization.
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Camera and imaging: what the specifications mean
Published specifications list 16-megapixel stills, 4K video, a 150-degree wide-angle lens, two 114-lumen lights and 32 GB of internal storage. The camera is mounted on the built-in anti-shake gimbal. These are headline specifications, not evidence of image quality by current standards: the cited sources do not establish codec, bitrate, dynamic range or low-light performance. A wide lens may also distort the edges of a scene, and two 114-lumen lights are limited for illuminating large areas or murky, deep water. The manual and CFD’s specification page list the principal camera and lighting figures.
How BIKI is controlled
At or near the surface
A smartphone app connects to BIKI over Wi-Fi for movement and camera controls, lighting, route customization, and managing recorded media. The distributor lists a surface control range of about 25 metres. Wi-Fi should be treated as a surface link, not an underwater video connection.
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Underwater
A dedicated remote uses acoustic communication; the manual specifies ultrasound at 27 kHz. CFD lists an approximate underwater remote-control range of 10 metres. Control and video are separate: an independent 2017 Forbes preview said the acoustic remote did not provide live underwater video or photo transmission. BIKI can record below the surface, but buyers should not expect to monitor a continuous feed from the operator’s phone while it is submerged.
Assisted features and their limits
Robosea advertised automatic balance using an IMU and control algorithm, infrared obstacle sensing, route recording and replay, and a return-to-base feature. The official product page says obstacle sensing operates within about 30 cm. That is a short-range sensing claim, not a promise of robust environmental mapping or collision-proof navigation. Robosea’s BIKI page describes these features.
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Return-to-base is conditional. The manual says GPS is intended for outdoor use and needs good satellite reception; at least four satellites are required for the function to be ready. If Wi-Fi is lost while GPS is available, the system uses the latest recorded GPS position or the launch position as its return point. GPS does not provide ordinary positioning underwater, so return-to-base is a recovery aid rather than a guarantee. The manual also says that if BIKI receives no operational command from the remote for 15 seconds, it stops and heads toward the surface to await further instruction. That behavior cannot recover a vehicle affected by power failure or other faults.
BIKI V1.0 specifications
The figures below are published manufacturer, manual or distributor specifications, not independent test results. Runtime and control range depend on operating conditions; the manual’s runtime range is not a guaranteed mission duration.
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| Specification | Published value | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Model | BIKI V1.0 | Manual designation |
| Dimensions | 272 × 110 × 181 mm | Published specification; source ordering varies |
| Weight | 1.2 kg | Manual and distributor specification |
| Battery | 3,180 mAh | Manual says the battery is not user-replaceable |
| Runtime | Approximately 90–120 minutes | Advertised range; varies with settings and use |
| Maximum depth | Up to 60 m (196 ft) | Published limit, not a recommended dive profile |
| Maximum speed | 0.5 m/s (about 1.12 mph) | Published specification |
| Camera | 16 MP stills; 4K video | Published recording specifications; not a measure of image quality |
| Lens | 150° wide angle | Published specification |
| Lights | Two × 114 lumens | Published specification |
| Storage | 32 GB internal memory | Published specification |
| Surface control | Smartphone Wi-Fi; approximately 25 m range | Range listed by CFD distributor |
| Underwater control | Acoustic remote; approximately 10 m range | Range listed by CFD distributor |
| Charging time | Approximately 100 minutes | CFD distributor specification |
| Obstacle sensing | Infrared, approximately within 30 cm | Robosea product-page claim |
See the English manual, FCC-hosted manual and CFD specifications. Some launch coverage gave differing figures or phrased 4K and 16-megapixel specifications imprecisely; they should not be combined to imply 16-megapixel 4K video. Robosea also published a 55 dB figure, but without measurement conditions it does not establish that BIKI is “silent.”
Was BIKI really the world’s first?
Robosea promoted BIKI as the “world’s first” bionic unmanned underwater drone and as the first underwater robot with a dual reconfigurable tail fin in its 2017 launch announcement. Contemporary coverage repeated or paraphrased the claim, but that does not independently prove that no earlier fish-shaped or fish-propelled underwater robot existed. The defensible wording is that Robosea marketed BIKI as the world’s first bionic underwater drone.
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Practical limitations to consider
- Battery and mission time: The battery is not user-replaceable according to the manual. Treat 90–120 minutes as an advertised range affected by settings and operation, not time that can all be spent away from the recovery point.
- Water, current and entanglement: A tail mechanism avoids exposed propellers but can still be fouled or damaged by weeds, line or debris. Fish-inspired propulsion is not a safety certification for use near swimmers or wildlife.
- Depth and recovery: The published 60 m maximum is a limit, not proof of suitability for every dive. GPS-dependent return functions do not substitute for a recovery plan.
- App age: The manual lists Android 4.3 and iOS 9.0 as minimums. Those are legacy requirements, not confirmation that the app can be installed or used on current phones.
- Maintenance: The manual instructs owners to switch the unit off after use, remove the tail, dry it and store it in a ventilated, dry place away from direct sun. It also prohibits filming people in private areas without permission and warns against unauthorized surveillance or other unlawful use.
If the remote stops receiving commands for 15 seconds, BIKI’s specified response is to stop and surface; this is not the same as recovery after a dead battery or failed electronics. In poor GPS conditions, do not count on automatic return.
Can you still buy BIKI in 2026?
Robosea’s company site and BIKI product page remain online, and CFD maintains a product specification page. That establishes an online listing, not live stock, a current checkout, available replacement parts, warranty service or working app support. No current official price or confirmed U.S. stock status is established by those pages.
Historical figures are not current offers: Forbes reported a $599 early-backer price and an estimated future retail price of about $1,024 in 2017; Japanese launch coverage in 2018 gave an expected retail price of approximately ¥89,000 before tax. ITmedia’s report is specific to that historical Japanese launch. Do not use any of these as a 2026 buying price.
Before buying a used or purportedly new unit, verify in person or with a return option that it powers on and charges, the battery holds charge, the acoustic remote and Wi-Fi connection work, and the app can be installed and paired. Test the camera, lights, gimbal and tail mechanism, and confirm that the seller can document parts availability and return terms. The legacy app and non-replaceable battery make untested used units a particular risk.
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BIKI may suit
- Robotics enthusiasts interested in fish-inspired propulsion.
- Collectors or technology-history readers.
- Recreational explorers who find a complete, working unit and can accept limited monitoring and uncertain long-term support.
Look elsewhere if the job matters more than the novelty
- For dependable live video, inspection or easier recovery, a tethered ROV is generally the more suitable category, at the cost of a cable and reduced portability.
- For recreational filming, compare currently supported consumer underwater drones, but verify each model’s current app, camera, accessories and availability separately.
- For a diver who mainly wants footage, a conventional underwater camera or action camera avoids managing a separate vehicle.
- Professional inspection ROVs offer a different capability and cost tier; they are not a like-for-like casual alternative.
BIKI’s distinguishing feature is its fish-inspired tail, not a verified advantage in efficiency, image quality or autonomy over current alternatives. No current model or price comparison is established here.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
