A ray-inspired underwater vehicle that replicates nature to increase overall efficiency and propulsion levels.

This bio-inspired autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) has been developed as a scientific platform to understand the superior swimming characteristics of batoid fish such as manta rays.

​The MantaBot consists of two parts: a rigid body rendered from a computer tomography scanning image of a cownose ray and a pair of soft fins driven by tensegrity-based actuators. The soft fins of this vehicle are highly flexible, have complex planforms, and undergo an oscillatory motion. 

Mantabot

<p>This bio-inspired autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) has been developed as a scientific platform to understand the superior swimming characteristics of batoid fish such as manta rays.</p><p>The MantaBot consists of two parts: a rigid body rendered from a computer tomography scanning image of a cownose ray and a pair of soft fins driven by tensegrity-based actuators. The soft fins of this vehicle are highly flexible, have complex planforms, and undergo an oscillatory motion.</p><h3><strong>Specifications</strong></h3><ul><li>Nature-inspired build for efficient propulsion</li><li>Steady thrust provided by swimming motion</li><li>Kinematic markers drawn on its fins for performance evaluation cameras</li></ul>

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A ray-inspired underwater vehicle that replicates nature to increase overall efficiency and propulsion levels.

