A laboratory at Pohang University of Science and Technology in South Korea has unveiled a new aquatic robot that moves by flapping its fins, unlike most current robots that use propulsion.
In the vastness of the oceans, one can find algae, corals, rare fish… and now, finned robots. This is the latest invention from a research team at Pohang University of Science and Technology in South Korea. Named Hero Blue, an acronym for the rather elaborate « Hazardous and extreme environment robot for biomimetic multilocomotion-based underwater expedition, » it was created to enable autonomous ocean exploration.
Marine all-terrain
There are already aquatic robots used in underwater structure maintenance, nuclear power plant inspection, and archaeology. However, these typically use propellers. « Despite the numerous robotic applications in various industries, environments with strong currents and whirlpools, or interactions with seabeds or aquatic organisms, still pose a challenge for propelled robots, » reads their publication.
So, how do you change the mode of movement? By creating a multimodal robot, with four fins, two at the front and two at the back, and two lateral fins. When Blue Hero swims, it flaps its fins, occasionally using the lateral fins for assistance. When facing strong currents, the robot, with dimensions of 60 x 30 x 80 centimeters, can use its buoyancy control system to drop to the seabed. From there, it can use its fins as… legs. Will it soon be competing in triathlons?
