Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems have developed an underwater robot inspired by jellyfish. Swarms of such robots are expected to clean up the ocean floor or coral reefs in the future.
The underwater robot called Jellyfish Bot
MPI-IS
The robot consists of several layers that stabilize it, make it buoyant or seal it. Embedded in the middle of the layers are electrohydraulic actuators. These so-called hazels are plastic bags filled with vegetable oil that contract and relax when a high voltage is applied. Called the Jellyfish Bot, the swimming robot is capable of moving and capturing objects without contact, according to the researchers. It can reach speeds of up to 6.1 cm/s with a power consumption of about 100 mW. At the same time, it is said to be very quiet, as it uses neither electric motors nor hydraulic pumps.
The robot can grasp with two of its six arms while swimming with the other four. According to the researchers, heavier loads can be carried by two cooperating robots. Currently, the swimming robot is still controlled by cable, but in the future it should be able to operate wirelessly. Corresponding functional modules such as a battery and wireless control units are therefore already built into the currently presented version of the robot.