Mantabot: University of Virginia Engineers Building Robotic Ray
Posted on July 26, 2012
Researchers at the University of Virginia are building Mantabot: an autonomous underwater vehicle inspired by batoid rays, such as stingrays and manta rays. Batoid rays can cruise for long distances in the deep, open ocean, and rest on the sea bottom. The researchers are modeling their mechanical ray on the cownose ray (Rhinoptera bonasus), a species common to the western Atlantic and Chesapeake Bay.
Hilary Bart-Smith, an associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering in the University of Virginia's School of Engineering and Applied Science, says, "We are studying a creature to understand how it is able to swim so beautifully, and we are hoping to improve upon it. We are learning from nature, but we also are innovating; trying to move beyond emulation." She also says, "They are wonderful examples of optimal engineering by nature."
The team members have already created a prototype molded directly from a real cownosed ray. The prototype attempts to replicate the near-silent flaps of the wing-like pectoral fins of a ray, to swim forward, turn, accelerate, glide and maintain position. The mechanical ray is remotely controlled by researchers via computer commands. The plastic body of the vehicle contains electronics and a battery, while the flexible silicone wings contain rods and cables that expand and retract and change shape. Take a look:
Bart-Smith's ultimate goal is to engineer a vehicle that would operate autonomously, and could be deployed for long periods of time to collect undersea data for scientists, or as a surveillance tool for the military. It could also be used for pollution monitoring, such as tracking the locations of underwater oil spills.