Photo credit: EPFL
EPFL researchers have developed a marine flatworm-inspired swimming robot that weighs in at just 6 grams, enabling it to nimbly navigate cluttered water surfaces for environmental monitoring and ecological research.
It’s smaller than a credit card and ideal for environments with limited space like rice fields, or for performing inspections in waterborne machines. For propulsion, the robot uses silently undulating fins, and when combined with its light weight, allows it to float on the water’s surface, seamlessly blending into natural environments. By oscillating its fins up to 10 times faster than marine flatworms, the robot can achieve speeds of up to 12 centimeters (2.6 body-lengths) per second.
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Our design doesn’t simply replicate nature; it goes beyond what natural organisms can achieve. We aim to extend operating times and enhance autonomy. The fundamental insights gained from this project will not only advance the science of bioinspired robotics but also lay the foundation for practical, lifelike robotic systems that harmonize with nature,” said Florian Hartmann, former EPFL researcher.
[Source]
