The world’s first automated robotic fish is attracting visitors at the London aquarium.
Inspired by the common goldfish, this robotic fish can avoid obstacles and swim around in a specially designed aquarium. Scientists at the University of Essex have spent three years developing this electronic fish.
Future generations could be used to explore ocean floors, detect leaks in oil pipelines, and even for surveillance. Although robotic fish have been researched for the past decade, the new model is claimed to be the smartest one to date.
“We have equipped it with sensors, so unlike previous remote-controlled fish, these are fully autonomous and operate based on artificial intelligence,” said lead professor Huosheng Hu.
Their undulating movements are also much more realistic. “This design is more lifelike – it mimics intelligent swimming and responsive turning. People will be confused and think it is a real fish.”
The fish measures 50 cm in length, 15 cm in height, and 12 cm in thickness, covered in reflective scales. Its maximum swimming speed is 50 cm/second, but it can reduce its speed to less than half to extend battery life up to 5 hours.
In the future, the Essex team plans to enhance the fish’s intelligence so that each machine can recharge itself. “We want the fish to have the ability to find its own fueling station, just like a real fish finds its own food,” Professor Hu said.
Three robotic fish will live alongside real fish in the aquarium and will be named by children in a competition.
Minh Thi (via BBC)
