MantaDroid: Aquatic robot swims like the manta ray fish

SINGAPORE: Researchers have created MantaDroid, an aquatic robot that emulates the swimming locomotion of manta rays, and could one day substitute traditional autonomous underwater vehicles.

The robotic manta ray which swims at the speed of twice its body length per second and can operate for up to 10 hours, could potentially be employed for underwater surveillance in future.

Manta rays are considered one of nature’s most graceful and efficient swimmers. Unlike most underwater species, manta rays possess a unique propulsion mechanism that enables them to cruise through turbulent seas by flapping their pectoral fins effortlessly.

This distinctive feature has sparked great interests in understanding the science behind the mechanism and to incorporate similar mechanisms into autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).

A research team, motivated to develop a bio-inspired AUV, led by Associate Professor Chew Chee Meng and Associate Professor Yeo Khoon Seng at the National University of Singapore (NUS) developed MantaDroid, which resembles a juvenile manta ray.

Measuring 35cm in length, 63cm in width and weighing only 0.7kg, MantaDroid can swim at a speed of 0.7m per second, which is twice its body length, for up to 10 hours.

MantaDroid was designed over two years after an in-depth study of fluid dynamics and multiple experiments which included testing of 40 different fin designs. The fins installed on the robot are a pair of flexible pectoral fins made using PVC sheets. The fins achieved good manoeuvrability and swimming capability when tested in the pool.

“Unlike other flapping-based underwater robots that replicate manta ray’s flapping kinematics by using multiple motors to achieve active actuations throughout the fins, MantaDroid is powered by only one electric motor on each fin.

“We then let the passive flexibility of the fins interact naturally with the fluid dynamics of the water to propel the subsequent motions,” explained Chew.

MantaDroid makes a promising alternative to traditional propeller-based thrusters used in conventional AUVs, and could potentially operate for a longer range.

Like the real manta ray, MantaDroid also has a flat and wide body that can accommodate a range of sensors and be utilised for different purposes such as studying marine biodiversity, measuring hydrographic data and performing search operations.

MantaDroid will be tested in a sea environment to investigate its swimming capability at different depths and its ability to withstand underwater current. The team is also working to incorporate more modes of movement in the robot’s fin mechanism.