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The robotic turtle. (LiveScience) |
The robotic turtle named Madeline is assisting researchers in learning how to create better underwater autonomous vehicles.
Madeline’s propellers are made from polyurethane, which is as rigid as those of a real turtle. Electric motors controlled by an onboard computer provide power to the creature.
This robotic turtle measures 80×30 cm and weighs about 24 kg, comparable to an Olive Ridley sea turtle. Using this robot, researchers have begun to identify when to use two flippers and when to employ all four. On average, Madeline can reach its maximum speed when using two flippers (0.7 meters/second).
This essential information was shared by John Long, a member of the design team at Vassar College, New York. “Our perspective is that if nature has provided such specifications, it must be very effective,” he explained.
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