A bio-inspired real-time capable artificial lateral line system for freestream flow measurements

Area of Science:

• Robotics
• Bio-inspired Engineering
• Micro-electro-mechanical Systems (MEMS)

Background:

• Current aerial and underwater robots require enhanced flow sensing for navigation and operation.
• Bio-inspired sensing mimics biological systems, like the lateral line organ in fish, for improved performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a high-resolution artificial lateral line system for robots.
• To enable multi-parameter flow measurements, including velocity, direction, and periodicity.
• To improve the state-of-the-art flow sensing capabilities in autonomous robots.

Main Methods:

• Designed and developed a linear array of bio-inspired micro-electro-mechanical flow sensors.
• Utilized piezoresistive strain gauges on stress-driven cantilever beams, mimicking fish neuromasts.
• Implemented a real-time cross-correlation procedure for analyzing sensor signals.

Main Results:

• The artificial lateral line system provides measurements of local flow velocities via signal amplitudes.
• Cross-correlation analysis successfully extracted freestream flow direction and velocity information.
• Flow velocity measurements showed minimal deviation from a commercial system (0.09-0.15 m/s difference).

Conclusions:

• The developed artificial lateral line system offers advanced flow sensing capabilities for robotics.
• The system's multi-parameter measurement and directionality extraction are significant advancements.
• The technology is applicable to both aerial and underwater robotics, with potential for waterproof packaging.