Researchers at ETH Zurich and the California Institute of Technology came together to work on a 3D-printed submarine that can navigate the water without an engine, a propellant or a power supply. The swimming robot does have its own paddles that are designed to react to changes in water temperature and behave quite similarly to the muscles of the body.
At present, a small prototype roughly three inches in size has been created and researchers must manually reset the robotic submarine. Even so, Kristina Shea of ETH Zurich notes ""the main takeaway from our work is that we have developed a new and promising means of propulsion that is fully 3D-printed, tuneable and works without an external power source." The researchers hope to continue developing the propulsion system, which could prove useful for a low-power vessel to explore the depths of the ocean.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Engineless Submarines
- Using 3D-printing technology and reactive paddles, researchers have developed a submarine that can navigate without an engine or power supply.
- Self-propelled Robots
- The development of locomotion mechanisms powered by reactive paddles opens up opportunities for self-propelled robots in various industries.
- Exploration Technology
- The 3D-printed propulsion system could revolutionize low-power vessels for deep-sea exploration.
Where This Applies
- Marine Exploration
- The engineless submarine technology has the potential to transform the marine exploration industry by offering low-power vessels for deep-sea research.
- Robotics
- The self-propelled robot technology can disrupt the robotics industry, enabling autonomous systems to navigate without relying on external power sources or motors.
- Additive Manufacturing
- The development of 3D-printed propulsion systems presents innovative opportunities in the additive manufacturing industry, particularly in the production of customizable, self-powered devices.
