Squid Robot Underwater Inspector Has Unique Propulsion
A "squid-type" underwater robot developed by Osaka University in Japan was demonstrated in a Kobe swimming pool on October 21st as part of an underwater robot festival.
Although they refer to this as a "squid-type" robot; it does not propel itself by shooting jets of water backward. It moves and maneuvers itself in an unmistakably biomimetic (animal-mimic) way, though. It uses rubber panels on the sides to "fly" in a manner more similar to skates and stingrays, curling them rhythmically for forward thrust. It has been designed with a flat body to easily enter narrow spaces.
According to the Osaka University's Department of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, underwater robots will have a greater scope of applicability and potential research than bipedal robots:
In addition to the precise control technologies needed to move robots in water and the systems to maintain their attitude in extremely unstable currents, brand new propulsion systems are being imagined for robots being designed to monitor ocean environments, search out underwater resources as well as perform other underwater missions.
Here's a quick peek at some other robots that imitate animals to get around:
Mika The Robot-Boss
'the robot-boss was busy at the lip of the new lode instructing and egging the men on to greater speed...' - David C. Cooke, 1939.
Sensitive, Soft Robot Skin
'...tinted material that had all the feel and appearance of human flesh and epidermis.' - Harl Vincent, 1934.
Finger Sensors For Robot Hands
'What strange sensitivity! What an amazing development of science was manifested in every move and act and word of this Robot!' - Ray Cummings, 1931.
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