project specification

Mantabot

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.

soft robotics - biomimetics - remotely operated vehicles (rovs)

University of Virginia

Overview

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.

Specifications

Nature-inspired build for efficient propulsion
Steady thrust provided by swimming motion
Kinematic markers drawn on its fins for performance evaluation cameras

References

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