Researchers at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory have created “SoFi,” an innovative robotic fish that is being used to better understand marine life. It’s remotely controlled by a diver using acoustic commands or a game controller, and it uses a hydraulic motor to move from side-to-side just like a real fish. The robot comes equipped with a pair of side fins and a buoyancy control unit to enable it to move in all three dimensions. Researchers also use onboard camera to capture footage in places that humans can not reach. Continue reading for two more videos and information.
“Experimental results gathered from tests along coral reefs in the Pacific Ocean show that the robotic fish can successfully navigate around aquatic life at depths ranging from 0 to 18 meters. Furthermore, our robotic fish exhibits a lifelike undulating tail motion enabled by a soft robotic actuator design that can potentially facilitate a more natural integration into the ocean environment,” according to MIT.
