Copebot: Underwater Soft Robot with Copepod-Like Locomotion

• DOI: 10.1089/soro.2021.0158
• Publication Date: 2022-12-29T18:56:36Z
• Authors: Zhiguo He; Yang Yang; Pengcheng Jiao; Haipeng Wang; Guanzheng Lin; Thomas Pähtz
• Keywords: Soft Robotics; Biomimetics

It has been a great challenge to develop robots that are able perform complex movement patterns with high speed and, simultaneously, accuracy. Copepods animals found in freshwater and saltwater habitats can have extremely fast escape responses when predator is sensed by performing explosive curved jumps. In this study, we present design build prototypes of combustion-driven underwater soft robot, the "copebot," which, similar copepods, accurately reach nearby predefined locations space within single jump. Because an improved thrust force transmission unit, causing large initial acceleration peak (850 body length·s-2), copebot eight times faster than previous robots, while complete 360° rotation during Thrusts generated tested quantitatively determine actuation performance, parametric studies conducted investigate sensitivity kinematic performance input parameters. We demonstrate utility our building prototype rapidly jumps out water, lands on its feet small platform, wirelessly transmits data, back into water. Our opens way toward high-performance biomimetic for multifunctional applications.