SoFi robot will spy on its deep-sea relatives

Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology created a realistic robot fish and called it SoFi. The aim of the invention is to spy on other marine animals, especially deep-sea species, which are almost inaccessible for researchers.

Features

The SoFi robot looks and moves like a real fish. Her body is made of flexible plastic and silicone rubber. Under the "skin" are the electronic fish internals and the control module. SoFi has two air chambers, where water is pumped, during the voyage and they work like pistons. This makes it possible to move naturally and not to attract the attention of other marine inhabitants. It feeds the SoFi stuffing with a regular lithium polymer battery, like on any smartphone.

Management and supervision

SoFi is controlled by a waterproof control panel with a joystick from Nintendo. The diver is close to the robot and directs it wherever he wants. In SoFi there is a camera. With her, the robot fish sinks to a depth below 15 meters, shoots video, takes photos, and then within 40 minutes transfers the files to the computer.

Among the advantages of SoFi, the creators distinguish mobility and the absence of a large and inconvenient propeller. Work on the robot-fish continues. In the plans of the developers to increase the speed of movement, the depth of immersion, paint the body in natural colors and make a number of minor changes.

Source: Mashable