A Victoria, B.C. company hopes to combat ocean biodiversity loss with a device no bigger than a backpack.

Ocean Diagnostics, which designs scientific data-collection technologies, just announced its newest invention: a robot named Ascension. Dropped from the side of a small boat, the 22-pound automated machine allows researchers to collect environmental DNA (eDNA) from marine organisms and animals up to 400 metres below the ocean's surface. The goal is to identify species at risk of extinction.

91裸聊视频淎 global, complex problem like biodiversity loss requires innovative solutions that can easily scale and produce reliable and replicable results,91裸聊视频� Ethan Edson, the CEO and co-founder of Ocean Diagnostics, said in a news release. 91裸聊视频淎scension makes eDNA sampling easy and accessible for researchers, conservationists and community scientists alike.91裸聊视频� 

Using its pump system, actuators and sensors, the robot picks up DNA marine organisms and animals leave behind as they move through the water. It then provides real-time data to its operators. Because Ascension is so small and compact, it can do this without disturbing the often fragile ecosystems it's designed to help protect.

91裸聊视频淏y overcoming the barriers of collecting eDNA at depth or hard-to-reach areas of the ocean, Ascension can be used anytime, anywhere to protect and conserve ocean habitats essential to the economy, food security and cultural preservation,91裸聊视频� Edson said in the same news release.

More on Ocean Diagnostics can be found at .