The Aerial Robotics Lab at Imperial College London has created a flying fish drone titled the 'AquaMAV.' The flying fish drone is a swimming robot that is also able to jump out of the water. The researchers that created the AquaMAV published the relevant findings in a paper, which was published in an issue of Science Robotics.
The AquaMAV uses combustible power as well as water in order to power itself. The system runs on calcium carbide, which is mixed with water to produce acetylene gas. The gas is then routed into a combustion chamber with air and water. The chamber is ignited, in order to move the water out to propel the flying fish drone out of the water.
Image Credit: Imperial Colledge London
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Aerial Robotics
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop more advanced and versatile aerial robots that can perform underwater tasks.
- Hybrid Power Systems
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore the use of unique power sources, like combustible power and water, to develop more efficient and sustainable drone technologies.
- Swimming Robots
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create swimming robots that can also perform aerial maneuvers, expanding their capabilities for various applications.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Drone Manufacturing
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporate water-based propulsion systems into drones, enabling them to perform aquatic and aerial tasks.
- Robotics Research
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Invest in research and development of aerial and underwater robots that can seamlessly transition between environments.
- Renewable Energy
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Apply hybrid power systems, like combustible power and water, to other areas of renewable energy production, such as electricity generation.
