Is SOFI the Future of Underwater Exploration?

[jedishrfu]

https://www.newscientist.com/articl...tic-fish-flap-its-fins-in-fijis-rainbow-reef/

https://www.geeky-gadgets.com/mit-sofi-robotic-fish-22-03-2018/

Sofi is a robotic fish capable of autonomous or wireless control (ultrasound) swiming for 40 mins via lithium batteries at a maximum depth of 60ft (18 meters).

The tail is especially interesting using compressed air to flip back and forth instead of a propeller based design.

 

[Borek]

Looks "stupid" to me - I mean, compared to the land robots that "know" how to move and keep their balance (which makes them quite animal-like in motion), looks this one just swings its tail and has no built-in logic that would make it an efficient swimmer (unlike fish).

Still, you have to start somewhere.

 

[jedishrfu]

One point in its favor is that it doesn't disturb the fish like a propeller based robot would.

 

[Borek]

One point in its favor is that it doesn't disturb the fish like a propeller based robot would.

A lot depends on the sounds produced by servos. While sea is not silent, mechanical sounds do differ from the natural ones.

 

[Psinter]

Is that a Super Nintendo controller? Pretty cool.

 

[berkeman]

Those batteries are going to give the first shark who eats it terrible heartburn...

 

[Bystander]

first shark who eats it terrible heartburn...

Would have sworn Li is an ant-acid.