Manta Ray-Inspired Soft Robot Breaks Underwater Speed Records
The world of soft robotics has seen a flap in the right direction, thanks to a bio-inspired robot that achieves incredible speeds fastest swimming soft robot, drawing inspiration from the elegance of manta rays to achieve its record-breaking speeds.
anesthetized manta rays to study how these graceful creatures achieve such adept underwater maneuvering.
"By understanding the fluid dynamics of manta rays, we were able to mimic their swimming motion, allowing our robot to navigate complex vertical environments with remarkable agility," says Jiacheng Guo, who co-authored the research paper.
The robot’s design is imbued with a clever simplicity, utilizing only a single actuator to control its movements. "Pumping air into the chamber acts like injecting energy into the system," explains Haitao Qing, the lead author of the paper and a Ph.D. student. "When the air is released, the fins snap back to their initial position, creating that powerful flapping motion. This ingenious system allows for extremely efficient and rapid actuation.”
This means the robot can reach an impressive 6.8 body lengths per second— significantly exceeding the speed of its predecessor which managed only 3.74 body lengths per second. Perhaps even more remarkable is its ability to freely navigate throughout the water column, moving effortlessly both upwards and downwards.
The researchers have demonstrated the practicality of this nimble robot by guiding it through a challenging obstacle course. They have also showcased its capacity to haul its own air and power source on the water surface, highlighting its potential for various applications, including environmental monitoring or scientific exploration.
"While our design is complex, the fundamental concept is elegant," says Jie Yin, the corresponding author of the paper. "We are committed to further refining lateral movement and examining other methods of actuation, which will dramatically enhance the robot’s versatility. Our ultimate goal is to retain this achievable simplicity in its design."
The team is currently seeking additional funding to pursue these exciting avenues of research.
What are some potential applications for the manta ray robot beyond its speed capabilities?
## Manta Ray Robot Flies Through Water in Scientific Breakthrough
**Host:** Welcome back to the show! Today we’re diving into the exciting world of robotics with a fascinating new development. Joining me is Dr. [Guest Name], lead researcher on a project that has created a record-breaking underwater robot. Dr. [Guest Name], thanks for being here.
**Dr. [Guest Name]:** It’s my pleasure to be here.
**Host:** So tell our viewers about this incredible robot and what makes it so special.
**Dr. [Guest Name]:** We’ve developed a soft robot inspired by the elegant manta ray. Its fins are shaped just like those of a real manta ray, and the material we use allows the fins to be spread wide without collapsing. This bio-inspired design allows the robot to achieve incredible underwater speeds, breaking previous records for soft robots. [[1](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/12/241204145135.htm)]
**Host:** That’s amazing! What was the process like in designing this robot?
**Dr. [Guest Name]:** We actually studied real manta rays to understand their fluid dynamics and how they achieve such graceful movement. This involved careful observation and even anesthetizing manta rays to study their swimming motion. By understanding the science behind their movements, we were able to mimic those mechanics in our robot’s design.
**Host:** So, this isn’t just about speed, right? This design could have broader applications too?
**Dr. [Guest Name]:** Absolutely! This technology could be used for a variety of applications, from underwater exploration and monitoring to search and rescue operations. The ability to navigate complex vertical environments with agility opens up many possibilities.
**Host:** This is truly groundbreaking work! Dr. [Guest Name], thank you for sharing your insights with us.
