Kinematics Modeling and Experiments of Pectoral Oscillation Propulsion Robotic Fish

A robotic fish driven by oscillating fins, 'Cownose Ray-I', is developed, which is in dorsoventrally flattened shape without a tail. The robotic fish is composed of a body and two lateral fins. A three-factor kinematic model is established and used in the design of a mechanism. By controlling the three kinematic parameters, the robotic fish can accelerate and maneuver. Forward velocity is dependent on the largest amplitude and the number of waves in the fins, while the relative contribution of fin beat frequency to the forward velocity of the robotic fish is different from the usual result. On the other hand, experimental results on maneuvering show that phase difference has a stronger effect on swerving than the largest amplitude to some extent. In addition, as propulsion waves pass from the trailing edge to the leading edge, the robotic fish attains a backward velocity of 0. 15 m·s^(-1).

Design and Experiments of a Robotic Fish Imitating Cow-Nosed Ray

The cow-nosed ray is studied as natural sample of a flapping-foil robotic fish.Body structure, motion discipline, and dynamicfoil deformation of cow-nosed ray are analyzed.Based on the analysis results, a robotic fish imitating cow-nosed ray,named Robo-ray Ⅱ, mainly composed of soft body, flexible ribs and pneumatic artificial muscles, is developed.Structure andswimming morphology of the robotic prototype are as that of a normal cow-nosed ray in nature.Key propulsion parameters ofRobo-ray Ⅱ at normal conditions, including the St Number at linear swimming, thrust coefficient at towing are studied throughexperiments.The suitable driving parameters are confirmed considering the efficiency and swimming velocity.Swimmingvelocity of 0.16 m·s’and thrust coefficient of 0.56 in maximum are achieved in experiments.

Parametric Research of Experiments on a Carangiform Robotic Fish

In this paper, a carangiform robotic fish with 4-DoF （degree of freedom） tail has been developed. The robotic fish has capability of swimming under two modes that are radio control and autonomous swimming. Experiments were conducted to investigate the influences of characteristic parameters including the frequency, the amplitude, the wave length, the phase difference and the coefficient on forward velocity. The experimental results shown that the swimming performance of the robotic fish is affected mostly by the characteristic parameters observed.

A 3D Simulator for Autonomous Robotic Fish

This paper presents a 3D simulator used for studying the motion control and autonomous navigation of robotic fish. The simulator’s system structure and computation flow are presented. Simplified kinematics and hydrodynamics models for a virtual robotic fish are proposed. Many other object models are created for water, obstacles, sonar sensors and a swimming pool. Experimental results show that the simulator provides a realistic and convenient way to develop autonomous navigation algorithms for robotic fish.

Biologically Inspired Behaviour Design for Autonomous Robotic Fish

Behaviour-based approach plays a key role for mobile robots to operate safely in unknown or dynamically changing environments. We have developed a hybrid control architecture for our autonomous robotic fish that consists of three layers： cognitive, behaviour and swim pattern. In this paper, we describe some main design issues of the behaviour layer, which is the centre of the layered control architecture of our robotic fish. Fuzzy logic control （FLC） is adopted here to design individual behaviours. Simulation and real experiments are presented to show the feasibility and the performance of the designed behaviour layer.

Electromagnetic drive system of robotic fish

With the aim to apply the electric fish into practice to assist coal mine water disaster life detection and rescue work, based on the analysis on swing propulsion movements of tail fin, this paper integrates the electromagnet technology with tail fin drive system by analyzing how the fish swims with tail fin under the law of progression. The principle, structure, and drive signals of tail fin electromagnetic drive are researched, the enforced situation of fish under eIectromagnetic driving modes are analyzed, and the experimental plat-form of tail fin electromagnetic drive is established. The best distance between electro- magnet and armature, which can realize the swing of tail fin, was researched in the experiment under water. The robotic fish structure parameters of tail fin electromagnetic drive was finalized by theoretical analysis and experimental measurement.

Dynamic Modeling and Simulation of Multi-body Systems Using the Udwadia-Kalaba Theory

Laboratory experiments were conducted for falling U-chain,but explicit analytic form of the general equations of motion was not presented.Several modeling methods were developed for fish robots,however they just focused on the whole fish’s locomotion which does little favor to understand the detailed swimming behavior of fish.Udwadia-Kalaba theory is used to model these two multi-body systems and obtain explicit analytic equations of motion.For falling U-chain,the mass matrix is non-singular.Second-order constraints are used to get the constraint force and equations of motion and the numerical simulation is conducted.Simulation results show that the chain tip falls faster than the freely falling body.For fish robot,two-joint Carangiform fish robot is focused on.Quasi-steady wing theory is used to approximately calculate fluid lift force acting on the caudal fin.Based on the obtained explicit analytic equations of motion(the mass matrix is singular),propulsive characteristics of each part of the fish robot are obtained.Through these two cases of U chain and fish robot,how to use Udwadia-Kalaba equation to obtain the dynamical model is shown and the modeling methodology for multi-body systems is presented.It is also shown that Udwadia-Kalaba theory is applicable to systems whether or not their mass matrices are singular.In the whole process of applying Udwadia-Kalaba equation,Lagrangian multipliers and quasi-coordinates are not used.Udwadia-Kalaba theory is creatively applied to dynamical modeling of falling U-chain and fish robot problems and explicit analytic equations of motion are obtained.

Effect of an Artificial Caudal Fin on the Performance of a Biomimetic Fish Robot Propelled by Piezoelectric Actuators

This paper addresses the design of a biomimetic fish robot actuated by piezoeeramic actuators and the effect of artificial caudal fins on the fish robot＇s performance. The limited bending displacement produced by a lightweight piezocomposite actuator was amplified and transformed into a large tail beat motion by means of a linkage system. Caudal fins that mimic the shape of a mackerel fin were fabricated for the purpose of examining the effect of caudal fm characteristics on thrust production at an operating frequency range. The thickness distribution of a real mackerel＇s fin was measured and used to design artificial caudal fins. The thrust performance of the biomimetic fish robot propelled by fins of various thicknesses was examined in terms of the Strouhal number, the Froude number, the Reynolds number, and the power consumption. For the same fm area and aspect ratio, an artificial caudal fin with a distributed thickness shows the best forward speed and the least power consumption.

Biomimetic flexible plate actuators are faster and more efficient with a passive attachment

Using three-dimensional computer simulations, we probe biomimetic free swimming of an internally actuated flexible plate in the regime near the first natural frequency. The plate is driven by an oscillating internal moment approximating the actuation mechanism of a piezoelectric macro fiber composite (MFC) bimorph. We show in our simulations that the addition of a passive attachment increases both swimming velocity and efficiency. Specifically, if the active and passive sections are of similar size, the overall performance is the best. We determine that this optimum is a result of two competing factors. If the passive section is too large, then the actuated portion is unable to generate substantial deflection to create sufficient thrust. On the other hand, a large actuated section leads to a bending pattern that is inefficient at generating thrust especially at higher frequencies.

Design and Implementation of Paired Pectoral Fins Locomotion of Labriform Fish Applied to a Fish Robot

In present,there are increasing interests in the research on mechanical and control system of underwater vehicles.These ongoing research efforts are motivated by more pervasive applications of such vehicles including seabed oil and gas explorations, scientific deep ocean surveys,military purposes,ecological and water environmental studies,and also entertainments. However,the performance of underwater vehicles with screw type propellers is not prospective in terms of its efficiency and maneuverability.The main weaknesses of this kind of propellers are the production of vortices and sudden generation of thrust forces which make the control of the position and motion difficult. On the other hand,fishes and other aquatic animals are efficient swimmers,posses high maneuverability,are able to follow trajectories,can efficiently stabilize themselves in currents and surges,create less wakes than currently used underwater vehicle, and also have a noiseless propulsion.The fish's locomotion mechanism is mainly controlled by its caudal fin and paired pectoral fins.They are classified into Body and/or Caudal Fin(BCF)and Median and/or paired Pectoral Fins(MPF).The study of highly efficient swimming mechanisms of fish can inspire a better underwater vehicles thruster design and its mechanism. There are few studies on underwater vehicles or fish robots using paired pectoral fins as thruster.The work presented in this paper represents a contribution in this area covering study,design and implementation of locomotion mechanisms of paired pectoral fins in a fish robot.The performance and viability of the biomimetic method for underwater vehicles are highlighted through in-water experiment of a robotic fish.

Thrust Analysis of a Fish Robot Actuated by Piezoceramic Composite Actuators

In this work, a three-dimensional （3D） Computational Fluid Dynamics （CFD） model was built to simulate the tail fin motion of a fish robot actuated by a piezoceramic composite actuator, and to determine the maximum thrust tail-beat frequency. A simulation of the tail fin at a tail-beat frequency was performed to confirm measured thrust data from a previous study. The computed and measured thrusts were in good agreement. A series of thrust simulations were conducted for various tail-beat frequencies to confirm the maximum thrust frequency that was obtained from thrust measurements in the previous study. The largest thrust was calculated at a tail-beat frequency of 3.7 Hz and vortices around the tail were fully separated. The calculated maximum thrust tail-beat frequency was in good agreement with the measured frequency. Flow characteristics during tail fin motion were examined to explain why the largest thrust occurred at this particular tail-beat frequency.

Propulsive Velocity Optimization of 3-Joint Fish Robot Using Genetic-Hill Climbing Algorithm

Underwater robot is a new research field which is emerging quickly in recent years.Previous researches in this field focus on Remotely Operated Vehicles(ROVs),Autonomous Underwater Vehicles(AUVs),underwater manipulators,etc.Fish robot, which is a new type of underwater biomimetic robot,has attracted great attention because of its silence in moving and energy efficiency compared to conventional propeller-oriented propulsive mechanism. However,most of researches on fish robots have been carried out via empirical or experimental approaches,not based on dynamic optimality.In this paper,we proposed an analytical optimization approach which can guarantee the maximum propulsive velocity of fish robot in the given parametric conditions.First,a dynamic model of 3-joint(4 links)carangiform fish robot is derived,using which the influences of parameters of input torque functions,such as amplitude,frequency and phase difference,on its velocity are investigated by simulation.Second,the maximum velocity of the fish robot is optimized by combining Genetic Algorithm(GA)and Hill Climbing Algorithm(HCA).GA is used to generate the initial optimal parameters of the input functions of the system.Then,the parameters are optimized again by HCA to ensure that the final set of parameters is the'near'global optimization.Finally,both simulations and primitive experiments are carried out to prove the feasibility of the proposed method.

Research on the Swing of the Body of Two-Joint Robot Fish

The disadvantages caused by the swing of a fish body were analyzed. The coordinate system of a two-joint robot fish was built. The hydrodynamic analysis of robot fish was developed. The dynamic simulation of a two-joint robot fish was carried out with the ADAMS software. The relationship between the swing of fish body and the mass distribution of robot fish, the relationship between the swing of fish body and the swing frequency of tail, were gained. The impact of the swing of fish body on the kinematic parameters of tail fin was analyzed. Three methods to restrain the swing of fish body were presented and discussed.

Simplified propulsive model for biomimetic robot fish and its experimental validation

As a combination of bio-mechanism and engineering technology, robot fish has become a multidisci- plinary research that mainly involves both hydrodynamics-based control and actuation technology. This paper presents a simplified propulsive model for carangiform propulsion, which is a swimming mode suitable for high speed and high efficiency. The carangiform motion is modeled as an N-joint nscillating mechanism that is composed of two basic components： the streamlined fish body represented by a planar spline curve and its hmate caudal tail by an oscillating foil. The speed of fish＇s straight swimming is adjusted by modulating the joint＇s oscillating frequency, and its orientation is tuned by different joint＇s deflection. The results from actual experiment showed that the proposed simplified propulsive model could be a viable eandidate for application in aquatic： swimming vehicles.

Research Development on Fish Swimming

Fishes have learned how to achieve outstanding swimming performance through the evolution of hundreds of millions of years,which can provide bio-inspiration for robotic fish design.The premise of designing an excellent robotic fish include fully understanding of fish locomotion mechanism and grasp of the advanced control strategy in robot domain.In this paper,the research development on fish swimming is presented,aiming to offer a reference for the later research.First,the research methods including experimental methods and simulation methods are detailed.Then the current research directions including fish locomotion mechanism,structure and function research and bionic robotic fish are outlined.Fish locomotion mechanism is discussed from three views:macroscopic view to find a unified principle,microscopic view to include muscle activity and intermediate view to study the behaviors of single fish and fish school.Structure and function research is mainly concentrated from three aspects:fin research,lateral line system and body stiffness.Bionic robotic fish research focuses on actuation,materials and motion control.The paper concludes with the future trend that curvature control,machine learning and multiple robotic fish system will play a more important role in this field.Overall,the intensive and comprehensive research on fish swimming will decrease the gap between robotic fish and real fish and contribute to the broad application prospect of robotic fish.

Bio-inspired Actuating System for Swimming Using Shape Memory Alloy Composites

The paper addresses the designs of a caudal peduncle actuator, which is able to furnish a thrust for swimming of a robotic fish. The caudal peduncle actuator is based on concepts of ferromagnetic shape memory alloy （FSMA） composite and hybrid mechanism that can provide a fast response and a strong thrust. The caudal peduncle actuator was inspired by Scomber Scombrus which utilises thunniform mode swimming, which is the most efficient locomotion mode evolved in the aquatic environment, where the thrust is generated by the lift-based method, allowing high cruising speeds to be maintained for a long period of time. The morphology of an average size Scomber Scombrus （length in 310 mm） was investigated, and a 1：1 scale caudal peduncle actuator prototype was modelled and fabricated. The propulsive wave characteristics of the fish at steady speeds were employed as initial design objectives. Some key design parameters are investigated, i.e. aspect ratio （AR） （AR = 3.49）, Reynolds number （Re = 429 649）, reduced frequency （σ = 1.03）, Strouhal number （St = 0.306） and the maximum strain of the bent tail was estimated at ε = 1.11% which is in the range of superelasticity. The experimental test of the actuator was carried out in a water tank. By applying 7 V and 2.5 A, the actuator can reach the tip-to-tip rotational angle of 85° at 4 Hz.

A Novel Bio-Controller for Localizing Pollution Sources in a Medium Peclet Environment

Nature inspired solutions enable biological systems to adapt and accomplish their tasks in very noisy and uncertain environments.Taking inspiration from nature,a novel bacteria controller capable of finding the source of pollution in an underwatermedium turbulent environment is presented in this paper.Experiments prove that the controller is capable of performing pollutionsource exploration,pollution plume transverse and source declaration in a medium Peclet environment without distinctivelyseparating these three components as most researchers did.The results obtained from these experiments are considered asa step towards the deployment of robotic fish in a highly turbulent marine environment.Finally,a brief conclusion and futureextension are presented.

3-D Locomotion control for a biomimetic robot fish

This paper concerns with 3-D locomotion control methods for a biomimetic robot fish. The system architecture of the fish is firstly presented based on a physical model of carangiform fish. The robot fish has a flexible body, a rigid caudal fin and a pair of pectoral fins, driven by several servomotors. The motion control of the robot fish are then divided into speed control, orientation control, submerge control and transient motion control, corresponding algorithms are detailed respectively. Finally, experiments and analyses on a 4-link, radio-controlled robot fish prototype with 3-D locomotion show its good performance.

Mechanical design and implementation of a new biomimetic robot fish

A mechanical design method of mbet fish is introduced in this paper. Based on this method, an autonomous 3-Dimension （3D） locomotion mbet fish with two pectoral fins and a caudal fin is developed. The pectoral fin mechanism has 3 degrees of freedom （3-DOFs）, which enables the mbet fish to realize yawing and pitching motions by controlling two pectoral fins. And the eandal fin mechanism is designed based on fish body wave curve fitting. The forward velocity can be adjusted by changing the eandal mechanism＇ s oscillating frequency. Finally a physical implementation of the robot fish and experimental results are given.

Motion Control and Motion Coordination of Bionic Robotic Fish： A Review

Fish＇s outstanding motion and coordination performance make it an excellent source of inspiration for scientists and engineers aiming to design and control next-generation autonomous underwater vehicles within the framework of bionics. This paper offers a general review of the current status of bionic robotic fish, with particular emphasis on the hydrodynamic modeling and testing, kinematic modeling and control, learning and optimization, as well as motion coordination control. Among these aspects, representative studies based on ideas and concepts inspired from fish motion and coordination are discussed. At last, the major challenges and the future research directions are addressed in the context of integration of various research streams from ichthyologic, hydrodynamic, mechanical, electronic, control, and artificial intelligence. Further development of bionic robotic fish can be utilized to execute some specific missions in complex underwater environments, where operations are unsafe or impractical for divers or conventional underwater vehicles.