Self-powered soft robot in the Mariana Trench

Area of Science:

• Robotics
• Marine Biology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Deep-sea exploration is challenging due to extreme pressure, necessitating bulky equipment.
• Existing technologies often rely on rigid vessels and pressure-compensation systems.
• Deep-sea organisms demonstrate effective adaptation to high-pressure environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an untethered soft robot for deep-sea exploration inspired by deep-sea snailfish.
• To overcome the limitations of traditional exploration vessels by creating a soft, self-powered robot.
• To demonstrate the viability of integrating electronics within a silicone matrix for pressure resilience.

Main Methods:

• The robot's design was inspired by the structure of a deep-sea snailfish.
• Electronics were integrated into a silicone matrix for pressure protection and decentralized to minimize shear stress.
• Dielectric elastomer material was used for the robot's flapping fins for actuation.
• Field tests were conducted in the Mariana Trench and South China Sea.

Main Results:

• The soft robot successfully operated at a depth of 10,900 meters in the Mariana Trench.
• The robot demonstrated free swimming capabilities at a depth of 3,224 meters in the South China Sea.
• Systematic experiments and theoretical analyses validated the pressure resilience of the electronic components and soft actuators.

Conclusions:

• The developed soft robot offers a novel, lightweight approach for deep-sea exploration.
• Integrating electronics within a silicone matrix provides effective pressure protection for untethered robots.
• This technology has significant potential for advancing exploration in extreme marine environments.