Tunabot mimics speed and movement of Yellowfin Tuna
Summary
Tunabot is part of a project to better understand the physics of fish propulsion – research that could eventually inform development of the next generation of underwater vehicles, driven by fish-like systems better than propellers. Harvard biology professor George V. Lauder and his team of researchers precisely measured the swimming dynamics of yellowfin tuna and mackerel. Using that data, Professor Hilary Bart-Smith and her team, research scientist Jianzhong “Joe” Zhu and Ph.D. student Carl White, constructed a robot that not only moved like a fish underwater, but beat its tail fast enough to reach nearly equivalent speeds. As the current of water in the flow tank speeds up, the Tunabot’s tail and whole body move in a rapid bending pattern, similar to the way a live yellowfin tuna swims. Further Reading Tuna robotics: A high-frequency experimental platform exploring the performance space of swimming fishes J. Zhu1, C. White1, D. K. Wainwright2, V. Di Santo2, G. V. Lauder2 and H. Bart-Smith1.