Roboticists and engineers are working to address this problem, searching for new ways to create machines that might help repair, maintain or inspect the undersea components of the growing offshore industry. My colleagues and I have found a solution to this problem, designing underwater robots inspired by nature's smartest swimmers: the ultra-efficient moon jellyfish. Traditional aquatic robots are designed for two main purposes: for efficient, long-distance navigation across open stretches of water, and for tasks requiring high manoeuvrability close to submerged structures. Both types of robot are effective, but few robots combine efficient travel with high manoeuvrability. That means most aquatic robots are too clumsy and clunky to support the offshore industry without also harming the undersea environment.