Robotic Fish: Driving the marine shoals away from danger

Imagine a robot guiding shoals of underwater creatures to safer destinations, protecting them from man-made natural disasters. Yes, this can be possible through a uniquely designed robot; a prototype of the marine fish that can mimic the behavior of the marine fish, driving them to safer places. This toy-like robotic fish can play a significant role in preserving the marine ecological system in the future.

robotic fish

Dr. Maurizio Porfiri, ssistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering of Polytechnic Institute, New York University has pioneered the designing of the robotic fish, applying the cutting edge technology of a signaling system. According to him, nature has always inspired mankind in its all round development and now the time has come to provide protection to our inspiration. He voiced that this special robot was designed after painstaking research of the types of behavior exhibited by flocks of birds, animals and deep water shoals.

Shoals moving in waters have an inbred system of information sharing among each other. This intelligent information-sharing system of the schools of fish, as where to swim or who to follow and other cues, have been extensively studied and applied perfectly in designing this robotic fish. The professor has been duly awarded with the prestigious US National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development Award for this noble invention.

This robot through some special signaling systems can divert the route of shoals, steering them out of possible danger. Several tests performed with this robotic fish in tracking the shoals and influencing their behavior has been successful that is bound to serve this noble purpose. At present, these robotic creatures can function effectively on the surface of the sea waters, but efforts are being carried out to design advanced robotic fish able to dive in deep sea waters.

Extensive marine exploration for the benefit of mankind has led the marine fauna on the verge of extinction upsetting the marine ecology. Since prevention is always better than cure, it is more important to limit the exploitation of nature than devising protective techniques.

Via: Daily Mail