Water Bots
Discover BOM's Water Bots project. Funded by Arts Council England and the Royal Academy of Engineering Ingenious public engagement grant, the project merges immersive art, engineering and technology in a series of public engagement activities.
Celebrating immersive arts, technology and our brilliant waterways
Water Bots is a project funded by Arts Council England, the Royal Academy of Engineering Ingenious Grant and West Midlands Combined Authority alongside support from The Canal and Rivers Trust. Working with award-winning artist, Michael Candy, BOM has commissioned three of these beautiful bots to create brilliant public engagement opportunities in Autumn 2025. They launched for the first time on Wednesday 22nd October 2025 as part of Frontiers Day at Birmingham Tech Week. They also travelled to Bumble Hole, Warren’s Hall Nature Reserve for two days of family-friendly fun from 25 – 26 October 2025.
The Water Bots project uses immersive art, engineering and technology to engage audiences of all ages and to celebrate green and blue spaces in Birmingham and the Black Country, and the UK’s innovative approach to art and engineering.
The Bots are taking a rest for now, but stay up to date with all things BOM to see where they head to next…
A trio of Water Bots
BOM commissioned a trio of beautiful and unique Water Bots created by award-winning artist, Michael Candy.
The sculptures were designed and built in Michael’s New York studio and were part of a series of exciting public performances and workshops at West Midlands canal sites in Wolverhampton, Sandwell & Dudley. Inspired by Birmingham’s contribution to the Industrial Revolution, where the canals were an important part of the city’s industrial infrastructure, the Water Bots created a magical experience along the canals and celebrated Birmingham’s industrial heritage.
In addition to the public events, we are currently running a schools programme aimed at inspiring young people to explore careers in engineering.
Birmingham Tech Week Launch
Wednesday 22nd October 2025
Canalside, The ICC, Birmingham, 5pm – 6pm
The Water Bots premiered for the first time on Frontiers Day, as part of Birmingham Tech Week at the canal beside the ICC. Find the Water Bots at Sherborne Wharf, opposite the ICC and Pitcher and Piano bar.
Their maiden voyage was a magical spectacle and a highlight of the Tech Week programme, celebrating the region’s innovation blending art, engineering and technology.
Family Friendly Activities
Saturday 25th October – Sunday 26th October 2025
Bumble Hole, Warren’s Hall Nature Reserve, Dudley, DY2 9HS, 11am – 5pm
BOM took the Water Bots for for two days of family-friendly workshops and Water Bot performances at Bumble Hole, Warren’s Hall Nature Reserve.
The team ran free family-friendly art and engineering workshops throughout the day which were drop in friendly.
Q&A with Michael Candy
What are the Bots made of?
Aluminium, stainless steel, 3D Printed plastics and electronics.
How long did they take to build?
They took a whole year!
What are the engineering processes involved?
A few buoyancy calculations and lots of testing!
Have you got any fun facts or anecdotes about the build or materials?
These are actually the 4th revision of this design. There were 3 prototypes before making the final components.
How did you learn engineering skills?
I learn through my hands, so the more I work with them the more I learn.
Why did you want to make the Bots?
I’m always striving to create things that give people a unique and exciting experience. I trust these will accomplish just that.
If you made a really big Water Bot, could someone sit inside it and travel in water?
Technically you can fit inside these ones, but it would probably throw the balance off and cause a disaster!
This project is funded by Arts Council England, Royal Academy of Engineering and West Midlands Combined Authority.
Royal Academy of Engineering
Funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering Ingenious scheme which is a grants scheme that supports and funds the most creative and impactful projects that engage the public with engineers and engineering.
Canal & River Trust
The Canal & River Trust is a charity which holds the guardianship of 2,000 miles of canals and rivers, together with reservoirs and a wide range of heritage buildings and structures, in England and Wales.
Photograhy by Angela Grabowska