FIDO: A Low-Cost, Scalable Autonomous Robot for Environmental DNA Sampling and Preservation

Abstract

This paper presents FIDO (Filtering Instrument for DNA Observation), an affordable autonomous sampler developed to support large-scale environmental DNA (eDNA) monitoring. Engineered by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) in collaboration with the United States Geological Survey (USGS), FIDO expands on the capabilities of other sampling instrumentation. The instrument was engineered with affordability, reliability, and scalability as primary considerations with the explicit goal of making robotic sampling technology more accessible. The system filters environmental water through standard 47 mm filters housed in reusable filter pucks, and preserves the collected material for later analysis. Multiple FIDO instruments can be controlled from a single cloud web interface, allowing researchers to efficiently monitor networks of multiple instruments. Laboratory testing confirmed no significant differences between FIDO and traditional filtration methods for detecting target species. Field deployments in freshwater and marine environments highlight a diverse set of applications for FIDO. A pilot field test is scheduled for the end of 2025.