🐟Engineers Unveil Scalable Fish-Inspired Robots
Fish-like robots that actually scale? Yes, please.
TL;DR
EPFL and NYU engineers unveiled ScaFi, a fish-like robot that scales in size while maintaining swimming efficiency. The team built three robots, testing them in various aquatic environments. ScaFi could revolutionize underwater robotics.
Engineers at EPFL and NYU have unveiled ScaFi, a fish-like robot that scales in size while maintaining swimming efficiency. This breakthrough solves the long-standing problem of scaling fish-inspired robots, which are typically built for a single size and job. ScaFi features a rigid front section and a flexible tail made of fiberglass rods, with a single motor pulling two tendons to mimic fish swimming motion. The team built three robots, testing them in Swiss streams, Lake Geneva, and creeks. While energy efficiency and agility vary with size, ScaFi opens new possibilities in underwater robotics.
Key Points
EPFL and NYU engineers unveiled ScaFi, a fish-like robot that scales in size while maintaining swimming efficiency.
ScaFi features a rigid front section and a flexible tail made of fiberglass rods, with a single motor pulling two tendons.
The team built three robots, roughly 0.6, 1.1, and 2.9 meters long, testing them in various aquatic environments.
Swimming motion lined up closely once adjusted for body size, with swirling water patterns similar to those left by real fish.
The research was partially funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 program under Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 945363.
Why It Matters
If you're working on underwater robotics, ScaFi could be a game-changer. The team built three robots, testing them in Swiss streams, Lake Geneva, and creeks. While energy efficiency and agility vary with size, ScaFi opens new possibilities in underwater robotics, making fish-like robots more versatile and efficient.
Comments
Be the first to comment
Enjoyed this article?
Get it daily. 7am. Free. Reads in 5 minutes.
Join 3,549 builders reading daily.