An engineering marvel from the Chinese mainland has entered the deep-ocean arena. Researchers at Beihang University have developed a 50-centimeter-long robot inspired by the graceful movement of batfish, proving that size doesn’t limit capability.
This nimble device can swim, glide, and crawl across challenging underwater landscapes—from the Haima Cold Seep at 1,384 meters to the formidable Mariana Trench, where depths reach 10,666 meters and pressures soar to 110 million pascals. In such extreme conditions, the robot’s performance mirrors and even surpasses its efficiency on land.
Utilizing a breakthrough flexible actuation device that leverages the stiffening properties of soft silicone under high pressure, the robot transforms immense external forces into enhanced speed and movement amplitude. Integrated shape-memory alloy springs, activated with periodic currents, enable rapid oscillations that drive its precise and controlled motions.
Professor Wen Li from the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Automation at Beihang University remarked, "We've figured out how to make its movement in the deep sea just as good as, or even better than it performs on land under normal temperature and pressure." With a swimming speed of 5.5 centimeters per second and a crawling pace of 3 centimeters per second across sandy surfaces, every test further cements its status as a pioneer in deep-sea exploration.
As the team continues to blend deep-sea morphable robotics with artificial intelligence, this innovation opens up new avenues for sustainable, intelligent operations in some of Earth’s most extreme environments. It’s a breakthrough that not only redefines underwater exploration but also sets the stage for future advancements in robotics and materials science.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
