A versatile jellyfish-like robotic platform for effective underwater propulsion and manipulation

Area of Science:

• Robotics
• Biomimetics
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Underwater devices are crucial for environmental monitoring and research.
• Existing robotic platforms often suffer from noisy actuators and limited maneuverability, hindering delicate interactions with marine life.
• A need exists for quiet, efficient, and versatile underwater robotic systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel jellyfish-like robotic platform.
• To achieve noise-free and gentle underwater manipulation and propulsion.
• To demonstrate the platform's versatility in various environmental applications.

Main Methods:

• Designed a robotic platform integrating electrohydraulic actuators with a hybrid rigid-soft structure.
• Implemented fluid flow control for propulsion and non-contact object manipulation.
• Tested the prototype's speed, power consumption, and functional capabilities.

Main Results:

• Achieved a noise-free, 16-cm-diameter jellyfish-like robot capable of controlled propulsion (up to 6.1 cm/s against gravity) and object manipulation.
• Demonstrated low power consumption (approx. 100 mW).
• Showcased diverse functionalities including fluidic mixing, shape adaptation, steering, wireless swimming, and multi-robot cooperation.

Conclusions:

• The developed jellyfish-like robot offers a versatile and efficient solution for underwater environmental applications.
• The platform enables safer, non-contact interactions with marine environments and species.
• This technology has broad potential for ecological monitoring, research, and other underwater tasks.