BionicFinWave

Year

2019

The idea

This underwater robot moves in the same way as the polyclad, the cuttlefish and the African knifefish.

The objective

The BionicFinWave uses its longitudinal fins to produce a continuous wave that extends over the entire length of its body.

Technical data

Length: 370 mm
Height: 50 mm
Width: 190 mm
Weight: 430 g
Servo motors: 3

Operating principle

The undulating fin movements push water backwards, creating forward thrust. The underwater robot uses its side fins to achieve this effect.

Structure

The silicone lateral fins are each attached to nine small lever arms, which have a deflection angle of 45 degrees and are powered by two servo motors. Their crankshafts transfer the force to the levers, so that the two fins can move independently of each other.

Collision-free movement

The underwater robot can manoeuvre autonomously through a complex system of pipes – without colliding with the walls. For this purpose, it is equipped with coordinated on-board electronics housed within a compact watertight space. The regulation and control technology constantly registers its distance to the walls and its depth in the water.

Interaction

The BionicFinWave can move slowly and precisely thanks to its special fin drive mechanism. It is also able to communicate by radio with the outside world and transmit data that it collects with its sensors. This opens up new perspectives for the use of robots in the process industry, water and wastewater management, or science and research.

Material

BionicFinWave