Development of High-Performance Soft Robotic Fish by Numerical Coupling Analysis

Area of Science:

• Robotics
• Biomimetics
• Fluid Dynamics

Background:

• Designing and controlling soft robotic fish is challenging due to complex fluid-structure interactions and large deformations.
• Existing methods for soft robotic fish lack established design and control strategies, necessitating further research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design a high-performance soft robotic fish using piezoelectric fiber composite (PFC) actuators.
• To investigate and address the complexities of fluid-structure interaction in soft robotic fish design.

Main Methods:

• A biomimetic approach was employed, utilizing PFC as a flexible actuator.
• Acoustic fluid-structural coupling analysis was applied to model the interaction between the robotic fish and surrounding fluid.
• Numerical simulations were conducted varying structural parameters to optimize the design.

Main Results:

• A novel soft robotic fish design was developed through numerical analysis.
• Experimental evaluation confirmed enhanced swimming velocity and more natural, fish-like swimming performance.
• The developed soft robotic fish demonstrated successful high-performance capabilities.

Conclusions:

• The integration of PFC actuators and fluid-structural coupling analysis enables the creation of high-performance soft robotic fish.
• The study successfully designed and validated a biomimetic soft robotic fish with improved swimming dynamics.
• This research contributes to the advancement of soft robotics and underwater locomotion.