Remote-Controlled Fish-Bot Travels the Ocean Without a Propeller

Even after advances in underwater technology, remotely observing marine life remains a challenge. While the deep sea is naturally inhospitable to both humans and electronics, researchers at the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) have developed a fish-like robot, named “SoFi,” that uses a tail for locomotion in order to better blend in with its environment.

The tail drive works by hydraulically filling chambers in each side, causing it to swing back and forth to induce forward motion. SoFi has fins on the side to adjust its pitch, and can compress and decompress air in order to rise and sink in the water — similar to a submarine. Not only is this robotic fish meant to fit right in with wildlife, its soft outer surface and lack of a propeller minimizes potential damage to the environment through inadvertent contact.

Electronics housed onboard include a Raspberry Pi, along with a camera to capture what it sees. A waterproof Super Nintendo controller can be used to change SoFi’s speed and have it make specific moves and turns. During test dives in the Rainbow Reef in Fiji, the robot swam at depths of 50-plus feet for as long as 40 minutes at a stretch.

Be sure to check out the video below to see it in action!

[h/t: MIT News]