Reproducing animal movements to develop human technology is not always a successful strategy. For example, many medieval inventors learned it the hard way when they created flight devices that replicated the flapping of a bird’s wings.a A new generation of underwater drones However, based on biomimetics, engineers should re-evaluate mobility and maneuverability. And that’s what drove them to learn from the sea creatures. Able to reach top speeds of up to 68 mph, tuna is one of the strongest and fastest swimmers.and the source of inspiration technology prototype It was recently published in the scientific journal Science Robotics.
this Innovative technology projectcodenamed Tunabot, 3D printerThe 10-inch-long test model has a soft skin covering the rear and a hard casing in the front half. Gives speed, twice the speed of the body per second. The first version of Tunabot contains a 10 Wh battery that can cover up to 9 km.this is Examples of biomimeticsAlso known as biomimicry, it is a discipline that looks for inspiration in nature. develop new technology.
Biomimetic accuracy
The most surprising thing, according to researchers at the University of Virginia’s Cyber Physical Systems Link Lab, is how accurately the prototype’s movements mimic real tuna. Not only in terms of kinematics, but also in terms of the relationship between flapping frequency and achieved speed.test of this biomimicry project It was conducted in an aquarium with a fishing line tether stabilizing the machine. A laser beam traverses a plastic fish, measuring the motion of the fluid it emits each time the robot sweeps its tail.
Currently, this new technology project has not been commercialized. The goal is primarily to lay the groundwork for the development of new machines to explore marine ecosystems, inspect infrastructure, or provide recreational use. therefore, underwater robot The team’s first goal was to understand how fish, especially fish such as tuna and mackerel, move in water.In another case of biomimetics, the previous underwater robot prototype Developed by the team was based on Devilfish.
In-depth research on swimming organisms
in their press release, Researchers at the University of Virginia’s School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering note that they are considering learning from living organisms’ swimming strategies to create more efficient underwater propulsion systems.And that’s the most important difference from before robot fish, provided little information about biological data on natural processes. The experts behind Tunabot believe that cooperation between biologists and experts is growing. robotics It opens many doors for both science and engineering.
sauce: University of Virginia
