The Nara Institute of Science and Technology has developed a robot capable of catching goldfish.

A camera set on the ceiling takes pictures of goldfish swimming in a tank. The images are analyzed by a computer, which calculates where the goldfish are likely to gather. Based on this analysis, the robot moves its 1.5-meter arm to that point to catch the fish.

It is capable of scooping up 6-10 goldfish in three minutes using a tear-resistant net. But the haul is still no match for the 60 goldfish that can be netted by a proficient human being.

The device will compete in the national goldfish scooping competition to be held in Nara on Aug. 20-21. The team hopes to hold an all-robot goldfish scooping competition in the future and pit the robot and human champions against each other.

Via Nikkei.