Post by taxed on Oct 7, 2005 8:03:02 GMT -6
The world's first autonomous robotic fish are the latest attraction at the London Aquarium.
Biologically inspired by the common carp, the new designs can avoid objects and swim around a specially designed tank entirely of their own accord.
Future generations may be used for seabed explorations, detection of leaks in oil pipelines, or even as spies.
Their undulating movements are also said to be more realistic.
"This one is more life-like - it mimics normal swimming and sharp turning," he explained. "People get confused and think it's a real fish."
In the future, the Essex team would like to increase the robots' intelligence - so that an individual machine could recharge itself as required.
"We want the fish to have the ability to look for its own charging station, just like a real fish looking for food," said Professor Hu.
Biologically inspired by the common carp, the new designs can avoid objects and swim around a specially designed tank entirely of their own accord.
Future generations may be used for seabed explorations, detection of leaks in oil pipelines, or even as spies.
Their undulating movements are also said to be more realistic.
"This one is more life-like - it mimics normal swimming and sharp turning," he explained. "People get confused and think it's a real fish."
In the future, the Essex team would like to increase the robots' intelligence - so that an individual machine could recharge itself as required.
"We want the fish to have the ability to look for its own charging station, just like a real fish looking for food," said Professor Hu.