Temperature-Driven Robotics: A New Era in Autonomous Machines
Imagine a world where robots can navigate through water without the need for electricity or motors. A team of researchers from the California Institute of Technology and ETH Zurich have made this vision a reality by creating a self-driven robotic fish that utilizes temperature changes to propel itself through the water.
Meet the Robotic Fish
The robotic fish, designed to mimic the movement of a real fish, relies on a deformable polymer “muscle” that contracts and expands in response to temperature changes. This muscle is wrapped in a low-density, floating device that provides stability and control. As the temperature changes, the muscle contracts or expands, causing the fins to move in a coordinated manner, allowing the fish to swim through the water.
The Science Behind the Robotic Fish
The robotic fish’s internal anatomy is comprised of a flexible polymer “muscle” that is curled at low temperatures and stretched at high temperatures. This muscle is connected to a series of fins, which are controlled by the temperature-driven changes in the muscle. The fins are designed to move in a coordinated manner, allowing the fish to swim forward, backward, and even turn.
Advancements in Robotic Fish Design
The researchers have developed a range of robotic fish designs, from the simplest two-fin version to more complex three-fin and four-fin versions. Each design requires adjustments to the “muscle” and fin configuration, allowing the fish to perform a variety of tasks, including turning and changing direction.
Key Findings
The study has revealed that the thickness of the polymer “muscle” plays a crucial role in determining the fish’s movement. Thicker muscles require more time to stretch, while thinner muscles can stretch more quickly. This discovery has significant implications for the design of future robotic fish, as it allows researchers to control the motion of the fish by adjusting the thickness of the muscle.
Current Capabilities
The robotic fish has demonstrated a range of complex skills, including:
- Cargo airdrop forward and backward in the water
- Turning and changing direction
A Video Demonstration
A video has been created to demonstrate the ability of the robotic fish and the principle behind its movement. The video showcases the fish’s capabilities and provides a visual representation of its internal anatomy.
Related Paper
The study has been published in the PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) journal, entitled “Harnessing bistability for directional Propulsion of Soft, untethered robots.”