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Robotic Fish Track Targets, Communicate With One Another

Posted by Soulskill on from the there's-a-fish-net-joke-here-somewhere dept.

Roland Piquepaille writes "Many of today's underwater robots need to periodically come up to the surface to communicate with their human supervisors. But researchers at the University of Washington (UW) have developed a new kind of underwater vehicle. The 'Robofish' can work cooperatively with each other. 'The Robofish, which are roughly the size of a 10-pound salmon, look a bit like fish because they use fins rather than propellers.' According to the researchers, such robots 'could cooperatively track moving targets underwater, such as groups of whales or spreading plumes of pollution, or explore caves, underneath ice-covered waters, or in dangerous environments where surfacing might not be possible.' Further information and more pictures are also available for these autonomous fin-actuated underwater vehicles."

6 of 68 comments (clear)

  1. Anyone else miss the cold war? by xxxJonBoyxxx · · Score: 4, Funny

    According to the researchers, such robots 'could cooperatively track moving targets underwater, such as groups of whales...
    Anyone else miss the cold war? In the eighties the press release about such gizmos would have mentioned "commie subs poised to vaporize Dick, Jane and their good ol' American homestead on a few minutes notice." Instead, we're left with following "groups of whales" around - sheesh.
    1. Re:Anyone else miss the cold war? by jackharrer · · Score: 2, Funny

      No problems for sharks to digest - they will cut them before to pieces with their lasers.

      --

      "an experienced, industrious, ambitious, and often, quite often, picturesque liar" - Mark Twain
  2. But.. do they fart? by witherstaff · · Score: 2, Funny

    An Ig Noble award was for Fish Flatulence as a means of communication.

    So we just need to create a robotic Bender, that burps and has an exploding ass, to really understand nature.

  3. need a better apronym by slew · · Score: 5, Funny

    Instead of calling them "autonomous fin-actuated underwater vehicles", perhaps they could call them "autonomous fin-inducted submarine hybrid" or just AFISH for short...

  4. You can bet your bottom dollar... by hyades1 · · Score: 2, Funny

    The first time a fisherman accidentally catches one of these things, I have no doubt he'll swear it weighed at least 30 pounds, was half the length of his boat and towed him around the bay for half an hour.

    When he realized what he had, of course, he released it.

    --
    I've calculated my velocity with such exquisite precision that I have no idea where I am.
  5. Forget SkyNet by PPH · · Score: 2, Funny

    Here comes FishNet!

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.