‘Tunabot’ Is A Robotic Fish Made To Pave The Way In Underwater Drone Invention
Image via UVA Engineering
Researchers at the University of Virginia’s School of Engineering, alongside biologists from Harvard University, have created a robotic fish that mimics the movements of a yellowfin tuna.
The way in which fish swim and adjust their speeds isn’t exactly the most straightforward thing: while we know that it’s to do with how they can alter the rigidity of their tails, it’s hard to measure while the fish is in motion.
‘Tunabot’ isn’t the first robotic fish to exist, but it’s the first in terms of owning a tail designed to be almost as good at speed adjustment as a real fish.
With a combination of fluid dynamics and biomechanics, the team found that Tunabot was able to swim at a greater range of speeds while using half the energy than its predecessors with fixed tail stiffness.
Mechanical engineers at UVA Engineering, leading a collaboration with biologists from @Harvard, have created the first robotic fish proven to mimic the speed and movements of live yellowfin tuna. Read more about the new @SciRobotics paper: https://t.co/wdIkZQRrCR pic.twitter.com/QerEHqYIlS
— UVA Engineering (@UVAEngineers) September 18, 2019
The finless ‘fish’ is around 10 inches long, while its biological equivalent can grow up to seven feet. As the current of water in the replica’s test flow tank speeds up, Tunabot’s tail and whole body move similarly to the way a live tuna swims. It’s flanked by lasers, measuring its fluid, graceful movements.
What’s the purpose of developing a mechanical fish? Fun aside, the university writes that underwater robotic systems are “useful in a range of applications,” naming defense, marine exploration, and infrastructure inspection as a few.
Tunabot was built by Hilary Bart-Smith, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering and project lead; research scientist Jianzhong “Joe” Zhu; and PhD student Carl White. The team’s research was published in Science Robotics last week.
[via Engadget, image via UVA Engineering]
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