The XPrize prize is $7 million and aims to accelerate ocean depth mapping. Contest topics are not random. After all, the ocean floor is largely uncharted territory for us. In fact, we know much more about the surfaces of other planets in our solar system. The study of marine geomorphology, flora and fauna surprises us every day with the discovery of new species. soon, self-driving car Became one of the main allies in this exploration. One of the latest innovations in this area is New technology Developed by researchers at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology): robot fish A soft surface that mimics marine life.
A prototype recently unveiled by the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) is a machine that mimics the shape and movement of fish, enabling the study of marine ecosystems in an unobtrusive manner. Made from 3D printed parts and coated with silicone, robot fish The prototype can dive to depths of over 15 meters, operate for 40 minutes, and can take pictures and record videos with its built-in camera and fisheye lens. Dubbed SoFi, the machine also has a buoyancy system that allows it to move its fins like other fish to swim at different depths. Powered by her own Li-On battery, no external power required.
The study’s lead author, Robert Katzschmann, said in an interview on the MIT website that it is the first submarine probe capable of swimming in any direction without the aid of cables.As expected this robotic innovation Provides irreplaceable insight into underwater research.
robot animals and insects
The MIT artificial fish SoFi isn’t the only specimen of this new species. robot animalSome of our latest innovations draw inspiration from the insect world. This new machine mimics the abilities of spiders and bees.
with a playful title Spider Attack: The Rise of Bioinspired MicrorobotsProfessor Mostafa Nabawi, principal investigator in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering at the University of Manchester, recently published an article on his latest research. Inspection-inspired robot.
for them New technologyNabawy and his team analyzed the ability of King Phidipos, a jumping spider capable of very high jumps. Scientists have tracked every movement of this kind with high-definition cameras, mapped the biomechanical data, and implemented it in microrobots. But why a jumping spider? A human can only jump 1.5 times his height, King Phidipos This tiny arachnid can jump up to six times its size.These microrobots biomimicry It may seem like a by-product of an esoteric nightmare, but it can prove truly useful in infrastructure analysis, hard-to-access areas, and engineering projects.
Still in early development, another line of research from Nabawy and his team aims to study bee flight and replicate it in microrobots. This is a much bigger challenge than a leaping device, but it can have a wider range of applications.They are robotFor example, it can be used to pollinate flowers when there are not enough bee populations.
In the future, robot insect There are nanorobots that perform precision work in the environment, and nanorobots that repair tissues in the body and deliver drugs to specific organs.
sauce: Techxplore
