Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Highly regenerable cubic and terraced MgO nanoparticles as CO<sub>2</sub> adsorbents for room-temperature wet mineral carbonation.

Journal of environmental management·2026
Same author

Ultrasensitive SERS nanoprobe-based multiplexed digital sensing platform for the simultaneous quantification of Alzheimer's disease biomarkers.

Biosensors & bioelectronics·2025
Same author

Fluorine-Induced Lattice Oxygen Participation in 2D Layered Double Hydroxide/MXene Hybrids for Efficient Oxygen Evolution.

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)·2024
Same author

Variable-stiffness-morphing wheel inspired by the surface tension of a liquid droplet.

Science robotics·2024
Same author

Ultrastretchable Segmented Sensors for Functional Human-Machine Interfaces.

ACS applied materials & interfaces·2024
Same author

Design and Analysis of Reconfigurable Origami-Based Vacuum Pneumatic Artificial Muscles for Versatile Robotic System.

Soft robotics·2024

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 21, 2026

A Robotic Platform to Study the Foreflipper of the California Sea Lion
08:53

A Robotic Platform to Study the Foreflipper of the California Sea Lion

Published on: January 10, 2017

8.4K

Turtle mimetic soft robot with two swimming gaits.

Sung-Hyuk Song1, Min-Soo Kim, Hugo Rodrigue

  • 1Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-742, Korea.

Bioinspiration & Biomimetics
|May 5, 2016
PubMed
Summary

This study developed a biomimetic turtle flipper actuator using shape memory alloy composites. The novel design enables two distinct swimming gaits for autonomous underwater vehicles, mimicking sea turtle motion.

More Related Videos

Cardiac Muscle-cell Based Actuator and Self-stabilizing Biorobot - PART 1
11:22

Cardiac Muscle-cell Based Actuator and Self-stabilizing Biorobot - PART 1

Published on: July 11, 2017

8.5K
Bioinspired Soft Robot with Incorporated Microelectrodes
08:24

Bioinspired Soft Robot with Incorporated Microelectrodes

Published on: February 28, 2020

9.4K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 21, 2026

A Robotic Platform to Study the Foreflipper of the California Sea Lion
08:53

A Robotic Platform to Study the Foreflipper of the California Sea Lion

Published on: January 10, 2017

8.4K
Cardiac Muscle-cell Based Actuator and Self-stabilizing Biorobot - PART 1
11:22

Cardiac Muscle-cell Based Actuator and Self-stabilizing Biorobot - PART 1

Published on: July 11, 2017

8.5K
Bioinspired Soft Robot with Incorporated Microelectrodes
08:24

Bioinspired Soft Robot with Incorporated Microelectrodes

Published on: February 28, 2020

9.4K

Area of Science:

  • Robotics
  • Biomimetics
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) often lack the agility of marine animals.
  • Replicating the complex fin movements of sea turtles for efficient underwater propulsion remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To design and implement a biomimetic turtle flipper actuator for a turtle-inspired AUV.
  • To achieve continuous deformation and distinct swimming gaits mimicking the Chelonia mydas (green sea turtle).

Main Methods:

  • Fabrication of a segmented flipper actuator using 3D printing and shape memory alloy (SMA) composite.
  • Development of three scaffold structures to replicate specific flipper segment motions.
  • Implementation of different current sequences to control SMA wires for routine and vigorous swimming gaits.

Main Results:

  • The actuator successfully mimicked continuous flipper deformation and produced two distinct swimming gaits.
  • Vigorous gait generated higher thrust but lower swimming efficiency compared to the routine gait.
  • The biomimetic turtle robot achieved an average swimming speed of 11.5 mm/s in the vigorous gait.

Conclusions:

  • The developed SMA composite flipper actuator effectively replicates sea turtle swimming motions.
  • This technology offers a promising approach for enhancing AUV maneuverability and efficiency.
  • The study demonstrates the potential of biomimetic design in advancing underwater robotics.