  | 
    
       
      
      
    
          Science Fiction 
Dictionary 
        A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z 
  
     | 
      | 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
      RoboSalmon Are Descended From SHARCs 
	   
       
      
        
      
    RoboSalmon, an underwater robot meant to spy on the real fish, is being developed at Glasgow University. 
  
  
(RoboSalmon stands at the biomimetic ready)
RoboSalmon has a built-in camera to broadcast images of real fish back to the operators of the device. Zoologists will use RoboSalmon to monitor various fish species in their natural habitat.
 
A key feature of RoboSalmon is its propulsion system. Since the robot will use its fins and tail for movement, it will be able to move through the water in a way that is more natural for aquatic creatures. Propellers make an unnatural noise that disturbs fish; RoboSalmon's biomimetic characteristics should help it blend in.
 
Robot evolution (biomimetic or not) does not follow the course of natural evolution. It turns out the the RoboSalmon is a direct descendant of the SHARC - Submersible Hybrid Autonomous Rover Craft.
 
 
  
(SHARK design and propulsion system)
The SHARC was also designed as a biomimetic system, using its tail to move around.
 
I can't resist stories like this. In his 2002 story Slow Life, science fiction author Michael Swanwick writes about robot fish who help explore distant worlds:
 
The Mitsubishi turbot wriggled, as if alive. With one fluid motion, it surged forward, plunged, and was gone.
Lizzie switched over to the fishcam.
Black liquid flashed past the turbot’s infrared eyes.  
Straight away from the shore it swam, seeing nothing but flecks of paraffin, ice, and other suspended particulates... 
(Read more about the Mitsubishi turbofish)
  
Robotic fish are all the rage now; if you like robofish, you'll enjoy these news items:
 
Via a very skimpy article here. 
    Scroll down  for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 11/30/2006)  
    Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.
    
    
    | Email  | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us |  Digg |  Reddit | 
    
    
    Would
        you like to contribute a story tip?
        It's easy:  
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here. 
	
	Comment/Join  discussion ( 4 )  
	
       
        
    Related News Stories - 
	("
	Robotics
") 
	
    
      
	    
		
		Mornine Sales Robot 
        'Robot-salesmen were everywhere, gesturing...' - Philip K Dick, 1954.  
      
      
	    
		
		Bipedal Robot Floats Gently While Walking 
        'a walking balloon proceeded with long strides of its aluminum legs...' - George Parsons Lathrup, 1897.  
      
      
	    
		
		YES!! Remote Teleoperated Robots predicted by Technovelgy! 
        '...a misshapen, many-tentacled thing about twice the size of a man.'  
      
      
	    
		
		Will Robots Ever Fold Landry? 
        Where have you gone, Mrs. Robinson?  
      
    
      
    
	Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!)
        is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for
        the Invention Category that interests
        you, the Glossary, the Invention
      Timeline, or see what's New. 
      
     | 
      | 
    
	
		    
		   
		   
		 
      Science Fiction 
        Timeline 
  1600-1899  
  1900-1939 
  1940's   1950's 
  1960's   1970's 
  1980's   1990's 
  2000's   2010's 
		 
	Current News  
	
          
          Jetson ONE Air Races Begin, Can Air Polo Be Far Behind? 
		  'If you're one of those rarities who haven't attended a rocket-polo "carnage", let me tell you it's a colorful affair.' 
            
          Will Space Stations Have Large Interior Spaces Again? 
		  'They filed clumsily into the battleroom, like children in a swimming pool for the first time, clinging to the handholds along the side.' 
            
          Mornine Sales Robot 
		  'Robot-salesmen were everywhere, gesturing...' 
            
          Bipedal Robot Floats Gently While Walking 
		  'a walking balloon proceeded with long strides of its aluminum legs...' 
            
          Musk Idea Of Cars Talking To Each Other Predicted 70 Years Ago 
		  'My cars talk to one another.' 
            
          Elegant Bivouac Shelter Produces Water And Electricity 
		  'There was nowhere on the planet where science and technology could not provide one with a comfortable home...' 
            
          X-Control Janus-1 A Suitcase Aircraft 
		  'You will notice that it... fits the suitcase nicely.' 
            
          'AI Assistants' Are Actually Less Reliable For News 
		  'Most men updated their PIP on New Year's Day...' 
            
          YES!! Remote Teleoperated Robots predicted by Technovelgy! 
		  '...a misshapen, many-tentacled thing about twice the size of a man.' 
            
          Will Robots Ever Fold Landry? 
		  Where have you gone, Mrs. Robinson? 
            
          Will AIs Give Better Results If You're Rude To Them? 
		  'I said, "Listen up, motherf*cker.' 
            
          Cybertruck Robotic Arm F10 Drone Launch! 
		  Drone away! 
            
          Black Fungus Blocks Radiation 
		  'You were surrounded by Astrophage most of the time' 
            
          Liuzhi Process Now In Use In China 
		  'He was in a high-ceilinged windowless cell with walls of glittering white porcelain.' 
            
          Reflect Orbital Offers 'Sunlight on Demand' And Light Pollution 
		  'I don't have to tell you about the seven two-mile-diameter orbital mirrors...' 
            
          Will Robots Become Family Caregivers? 
		  'The robant and the tiny old woman entered the control room slowly...' 
            
More SF in the News Stories 
More Beyond Technovelgy science news stories 
     | 
      |