# Sea Turtle Cyborgs The Naro-Tartaruga is an Efficient Aquatic Automaton By Wes Walcott | Published 2012-10-08 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/narotartaruga References: [engadget](http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/05/robot-sea-turtles/) From [Swiss Maker](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ms-porrima-concept-boat) ETH Zurich, the Naro-Tartaruga is a turtle-inspired aquatic machine designed to transport cargo and swim efficiently. In its current design phase, the [autonomous robot](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cstar) is a cylindrical aluminum vessel with flippers with a top speed of about seven knots, making it significantly faster than any real-life sea turtle. The torso houses the battery, sensors and other components required for autonomous function and each fin has three actuators that allow for three-dimensional movement in the water. The main goal of the Naro-Tartaruga project is to determine if [flapping fins](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kikfin) provide a more efficient swimming mechanism than traditional propeller design. If it wins, it could provide a model for future generations of underwater autonomous vehicles. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.2/10 - Popularity: 18% | Activity: 70% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) > [Transportation](https://www.trendhunter.com/transportation) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Autonomous Underwater Vehicles:** The Naro-Tartaruga project explores the potential of flapping fins for more efficient swimming, paving the way for future generations of underwater autonomous vehicles. - **Bio-inspired Robotics:** The turtle-inspired design of the Naro-Tartaruga showcases the innovation potential of taking inspiration from nature for robotics development. - **Efficient Cargo Transportation:** The Naro-Tartaruga's design as an aquatic robot for cargo transport offers disruptive innovation opportunities in the marine logistics industry. ### Who This Affects Most - **Robotics:** The advancements in bio-inspired robotics from the Naro-Tartaruga project can revolutionize the field of robotics. - **Autonomous Vehicles:** The research on flapping fins for efficient swimming in the Naro-Tartaruga project contributes to advancements in autonomous underwater vehicles. - **Marine Logistics:** The development of the Naro-Tartaruga as an aquatic robot for cargo transport presents innovative solutions for the marine logistics industry. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Autonomous Underwater Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/autonomous-underwater-robot.md) - [Water-Mapping Autonomous Boats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/watermapping-autonomous-boats.md) - [Turtle-Shaped Floating City Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/terayacht.md) - [Danger-Embracing Underwater Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dangerembracing-underwater-drones.md) - [Turtle-Inspired Sleek Automobiles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vision-imobility.md) - [Oyster-Harvesting Water Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/water-robot.md) - [Autonomous Aquafarming Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cultivation-robot.md) - [Plant-Based Turtle Soups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/turtle-soup.md) - [Programmable Pocket-Sized Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kt2-kungfu-turtle.md)