Researchers from Florida Atlantic University have developed an aquatic robot prototype that swims in the same way as a knifefish, and those researchers' efforts have led to a grant from the US Navy. The prototype has sixteen individually independent motors that allow it to swim just like its biological counterpart.
The knifefish has a particularly appealing method of swimming compared to other fish because of its serpentine range of motion. Whereas simple aquatic robots with back-mounted propellers or fins are capable of moving forward and turning without much grace, Florida Atlantic University's knifefish bot can immediately switch between forward and backward movement and can dart at sharp angles with far more agility than other robots.
The Navy has funded the project with the hope of building versatile aquatic robots that can access difficult spaces underwater.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Aquatic Robotics
- The development of aquatic robots shaped after animals like knifefish has the potential to revolutionize underwater exploration and inspection.
- Bio-inspired Robotics
- Studies of the movements and behaviors of animals like knifefish can inspire the creation of robots with more agility and versatility.
- Military Robotics
- The US Navy's interest in aquatic robots highlights the importance of developing machines capable of accessing difficult underwater spaces.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Robotics
- The development of low-cost, versatile, aquatic robots presents an opportunity for companies to expand their robotic offerings into a new market.
- Defense
- With the US Navy's funding of the knifefish bot, defense industries could leverage the technology to offer new solutions for underwater inspection and surveillance.
- Marine Exploration
- The development of more agile and versatile aquatic robots could lead to a breakthrough in the exploration of hard-to-reach underwater spaces.
