Robotic Fish Track Targets, Communicate With One Another

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."

Comments

Prey

[mofonius]

What happens when another fish mistakenly eats the robofish?

Surf Patrol

[Talisman]

They need to make one roughly the size of a killer whale that targets and chases sharks out of areas where people engage in water activities, such as surfing.