Scientists at the University of Southampton and the University of Edinburgh have developed a flexible underwater robot that will be able to pass through water in the same style as the most efficient swimmer in nature – the Aurelia aurita spear.
The findings, published in Robotics Science, a demonstration that the new underwater robot can swim as fast and as efficiently as the squid and spear, which inspired its design, which could open up new opportunities for underwater exploration with the design light and its soft exterior.
Co-author Dr Francesco Giorgio-Serchi, Chancellor’s Lecturer and Fellow, at the University of Edinburgh’s School of Engineering, said: “Interest in organisms such as squid, slippery and octopuses has been growing. grow large because they are very special because their lack of supportive skeletal structure does not prevent them from swimming in particular. ”
“Transport cost” is used to compare the efficiency of species across biology, and by this measure the blue sea is the most efficient animal in nature, easily striking running and flying animals and fish. waterfall.
The new robot was developed at the University of Southampton and is the first submersible that demonstrates the benefits of using repositioning for underwater movement. Repositioning refers to large vibrations that occur when a force is applied at the optimal frequency, such as pushing a child on a swing. This allows the robot to use very little power but to generate large jets of water to push itself forward.
The simple but effective method consists of a rubber membrane encircling eight 3D printed flexible ribbons, both of which form a ‘propulsive bell’. A small piston in the upper half of the robot rings this bell again until it expands and then comes back. This is similar to the slippery swimming method and he took out the moving jets to move the robot through the water. When the piston is operating at the right frequency – the natural strength for the components – the robot can move at one body length per second and match the effectiveness of the Aurella aurita spear.
The latest tests show that the new robot is ten and a half times more efficient than small underwater vehicles powered by propellers. This increased efficiency, combined with the added benefits of the robot’s soft, flexible exterior, would make it ideal for working near sensitive environments such as coral reefs, archaeological sites, or even in waters. full swim.
The robot was designed and built in a few months by co-author Thierry Bujard, a Masters student in Naval Architecture at the University of Southampton. Thierry said, “Previous attempts to propel underwater robots with jetting systems have pushed water through a tight hose but we wanted to improve it so we introduced elasticity and resonance to mimic biology. The results surprised me. the design would work but the efficiency of the robot was much greater than I expected. “
Dr Gabriel Weymouth, Associate Professor in the University’s School of Engineering, who led the project, said, “The great thing about using reset is that we can achieve large vibrations of the mobile bell with very little power; we just need to poke it out of shape and let the elasticity and inertia do the rest. This allowed us to swim the efficiency with which sea creatures that use jets swim.
“In the last decade there has been an increase in research on flexible and biologically inspired robots, such as Boston Dynamic’s“ Big Dog ”, as they can be much more versatile than robots business research.This research shows that these concepts can also be used underwater robots.
“There are still many exciting challenges and capabilities to explore with underwater soft robotic technologies. We are now looking at extending the concept behind this robot to an underwater vehicle that is fully automated and autonomous capable of sensing and managing its environment. “
###
Notes to editors
Explanatory video and raw film can be downloaded at the following links, please give credit to the University of Southampton.
Explanatory video
Raw images of the robot
Raw images show design
“Cost of Transport” refers to the ratio of energy expended on movement divided by the weight and speed of the animal: power /[weight*speed]
For further information and interview requests, please contact the University of Southampton Media Relations Office: Steve Bates – [email protected]; 07342 060429
The study “Siberian-induced resonant robot unlocks biological movement efficiency” will be published in Robotics Science. A copy of the paper is available online at Robotics Science news pack at http: // www.
Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! they are not responsible for the accuracy of press releases posted to EurekAlert! by sending institutions or for using any information through the EurekAlert system.