Norway is using thousands of artificial intelligence-powered underwater robots to tackle one of the biggest challenges facing its salmon farming industry: sea lice. Developed by Norwegian company Stingray Marine Solutions, these systems use cameras, computer vision and precision lasers to detect and eliminate parasites attached to farmed salmon. The technology operates inside fish-farming pens and is designed to work continuously without requiring fish to be removed for conventional treatments.
The deployment has reportedly crossed 3,500 units, with the systems protecting more than 112 million fish along the Norwegian coast. The figures were highlighted in a report published by Tom’s Hardware on November 11, 2026, citing Stingray’s latest annual reporting. The technology is an example of AI moving beyond software applications into industrial automation, where machines can identify biological targets and perform specific tasks in real-world environments. <Cite refs={[“turn257697view0″,”turn111273view0”]}/>
What Are Norway’s AI-Powered Underwater Robots?
The systems are developed by <Entity value=”Stingray Marine Solutions” category=”company” disambig=”Norwegian aquaculture technology company”/> , an Oslo-based technology company specialising in automated fish-health monitoring and sea-lice control.
Its underwater devices, commonly referred to as Stingrays, are installed inside salmon-farming pens. They use cameras and detection technology to monitor fish as they swim through the enclosure.
When the system identifies a sea louse on a salmon, it directs a precision laser towards the parasite.
These are not military submarines or autonomous weapons. They are specialised aquaculture machines designed to protect farmed fish from parasites.
Stingray’s technology combines several capabilities:
- Underwater cameras continuously observe fish.
- AI-powered image recognition identifies sea lice.
- Detection systems distinguish parasites from the fish.
- Precision lasers target the identified parasites.
- Monitoring systems collect data to support fish-health management.
The devices are designed to operate around the clock, allowing fish farmers to monitor and control parasite infestations without repeatedly handling the salmon. <Cite refs={[“turn257697view0″,”turn111273view0”]}/>
How Do the Lasers Kill Sea Lice Without Harming Salmon?
Sea lice are small parasitic crustaceans that attach themselves to salmon and feed on their skin, mucus and tissue.
Infestations can damage fish health, reduce growth and increase mortality. Controlling sea lice is therefore a major operational challenge for commercial salmon producers.
Stingray’s system uses optical delousing, a process in which cameras identify parasites and a laser delivers energy to the target.
According to the company’s 2025 Fish Health Report, laser energy is absorbed by the sea louse and converted into heat, causing thermal damage to the parasite.
The system is designed to distinguish the parasite from the salmon before firing. The technology relies on the difference between the optical properties of the fish’s scales and the parasite to target the louse rather than the fish.
This allows the robot to perform repeated detection and treatment without requiring farmers to remove salmon from their pens.
The process is particularly useful because it can be integrated into normal fish-farming operations rather than requiring a separate treatment procedure every time parasite levels increase. <Cite refs={[“turn111273view0″,”turn257697view0”]}/>
More Than 3,500 Systems and 112 Million Fish Protected
The scale of Stingray’s deployment has increased significantly as Norwegian fish farmers adopt automated approaches to parasite management.
Tom’s Hardware reported that the company has deployed more than 3,500 units, approximately 1,000 more than a year earlier.
Stingray’s 2025 Fish Health Report provides additional context about its expansion. The company said its systems protected 112,218,373 salmonids across 38 customers by December 31, 2025.
The report also recorded the delivery of its 3,000th unit in November 2025.
| Deployment metric | Reported figure |
|---|---|
| Underwater units reported in November 2026 | More than 3,500 |
| Fish protected at year-end 2025 | 112.2 million |
| Customers in 2025 | 38 |
| Active nodes reported in the 2025 report | More than 2,500 |
| Share of Norway’s farmed salmon monitored and protected | 20–25% |
| Cameras used across the Norwegian network | Approximately 15,000 |
These figures come from company reporting and media coverage rather than an independent national deployment audit. Nevertheless, they demonstrate how an AI-based system has moved from a specialised farming technology into large-scale commercial use. <Cite refs={[“turn257697view0″,”turn111273view0”]}/>
Why Norway Needs AI Technology to Fight Sea Lice
Norway is one of the world’s leading producers of farmed Atlantic salmon. However, sea lice remain a persistent problem for the industry.
Traditional parasite-control methods can involve chemical treatments, mechanical removal and handling fish in specialised equipment or vessels.
These procedures can create additional stress for salmon. Some treatments can also affect the surrounding marine environment, while repeated chemical use raises concerns about treatment resistance.
Sea lice can also spread between farmed and wild fish populations, making parasite management important beyond individual fish farms.
Automated laser systems offer a different approach by targeting parasites directly while salmon remain inside their pens.
Stingray’s 2025 report said its technology was already monitoring and protecting approximately 20–25% of farmed salmon in Norway. The company also reported lower lice levels, fewer handling-based treatments and improved fish welfare at sites using its systems.
However, these benefits should be understood in the context of company-reported results. Performance can vary depending on farm conditions, parasite pressure, fish behaviour and how the systems are operated. <Cite refs={[“turn111273view0″,”turn257697view0”]}/>
Company Report Shows Reduced Treatment Requirements
Stingray’s 2025 Fish Health Report includes comparisons between production sites using its laser technology and sites without the system.
The company reported that laser-equipped sites consistently had a lower proportion of production weeks requiring additional sea-lice treatments between 2023 and 2025.
Its report also showed a growing number of fish protected by the technology, increasing from 48.2 million in 2023 to 74.4 million in 2024 and 112.2 million in 2025.
These figures suggest that the technology is becoming an increasingly important part of the company’s commercial offering.
However, the report also acknowledges the importance of scientific evaluation. It discusses earlier research that did not find a measurable reduction in lice counts under the specific experimental conditions tested.
The company argues that commercial operating conditions, system optimisation and continuous monitoring can influence performance. This distinction matters because large-scale commercial adoption does not automatically establish that a technology will deliver identical results across every farm. <Cite refs={[“turn111273view0”]}/>
The Technology Has Limitations
Despite its potential, underwater laser robots are not a complete replacement for every sea-lice treatment.
One limitation is coverage. The systems operate within fish-farming pens, and their effectiveness depends on where cameras can observe the salmon and detect parasites.
Tom’s Hardware noted that lice can accumulate in darker or murkier areas outside the systems’ effective monitoring range.
The technology also requires investment in equipment, installation, monitoring infrastructure and maintenance. Smaller fish farmers may find the upfront costs difficult to justify.
In addition, laser-based control is primarily a targeted and preventive approach. Farms may still need other methods when parasite levels become severe or when conditions make optical detection less effective.
Combining automated monitoring with other fish-health measures is therefore likely to remain important for the industry.
The Bigger Picture
Norway’s deployment of AI-powered underwater robots illustrates how artificial intelligence is increasingly being used in industries that operate far beyond traditional computing environments. In this case, AI does not simply analyse information or generate content. It helps machines observe living organisms, identify a specific problem and perform a physical intervention.
The development also highlights the growing role of robotics in food production. From automated harvesting to precision agriculture and fish-health monitoring, companies are using cameras, sensors and machine-learning systems to reduce manual work and improve operational efficiency. If the technology continues to demonstrate reliable results, similar systems could find applications in other aquaculture markets around the world.
Looking Ahead
Stingray’s expansion in Norway and Iceland suggests that automated parasite management could become a more established part of commercial fish farming. The company’s next challenge will be to improve detection accuracy, expand monitoring coverage and demonstrate consistent results across different environmental conditions. Fish farmers will also weigh the upfront cost of the systems against potential savings from fewer treatments and improved production outcomes.
The broader significance extends beyond salmon farming. Norway’s underwater laser robots demonstrate how AI can be integrated with physical machines to solve specific industrial problems. As computer vision, robotics and automation become more capable, similar technologies could transform other sectors where continuous monitoring and precise intervention are essential.
SEO Metadata
SEO Title: Norway Deploys 3,500 AI Underwater Laser Robots to Protect Salmon
Meta Description: Norway has deployed more than 3,500 AI-powered underwater laser robots developed by Stingray to detect and eliminate sea lice across salmon farms.
URL Slug: norway-ai-underwater-laser-robots-salmon-farms
Focus Keyphrase: Norway AI underwater laser robots
Secondary Keywords: Stingray Marine Solutions, AI submarine robots, underwater laser technology, sea lice removal, Norwegian salmon farming, AI aquaculture, underwater robotics, artificial intelligence in fish farming
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