By Charles Carter, 23/09/22
US startup Pliant Energy Systems has developed an amphibious robot, Velox, that mimics ray, millipede, squid and snake locomotion to travel across water, ice, snow and sand.
It’s highly maneuverable and versatile, which makes it suitable for a range of applications including sea rescue missions, inspecting coral reefs and providing thrust for vessels in debris-filled waters.
How does it work?
Two flexible ribbon fins are attached to a central unit which houses the battery and motors that drive the fins.
Sixteen actuators drive the fins to create propulsion by each moving a small section of the fin up and down, in coordinated fashion, creating an undulation wave effect.
What are the potential benefits?
The ability to travel across many different types of surface gives great flexibility and efficiency across a range of missions.
These include personal propulsion for professional divers, towing a life buoy to swimmers in difficulty, and exploration of coral reefs, mangroves and sea grass beds.
Undulating propulsion is much less destructive than conventional propellers, which means Velox is better suited for use in environmentally sensitive areas like coral reefs.
Questions for you. Comment below
- First thought that comes into your head?
- Pros and cons according to you?
- Other applications of this approach?
- What could this be combined with?
Hi,
1) does velox have a camera and light?
2) how deep is it able to operate in sea?
3) how does it prevent being becoming a prey to
Sharks
4) how long does it operate for? Does it have a rechargeable function?
5) what are the approximate costs?
6) how do you maintain it? Servicing etc