Land down underA fish called WANDA
Aussie researchers develop a robotic fish that can swim toward objects of interest to investigate; the Wireless Aquatic Navigator for Detection and Analysis (WANDA) is propelled by a flexible joint tail fin that is activated through artificial muscles made from a conducting polymer
A robotic fish that can seek out and “swim” toward a particular object of interest has been developed at the University of Wollongong in Australia.
The Wireless Aquatic Navigator for Detection and Analysis (WANDA) is propelled by a flexible joint tail fin that is activated through artificial muscles made from a conducting polymer.
The person controlling WANDA can change the direction and speed at which the fish swims. It has a small camera that wirelessly sends real-time video to a computer, and video-imaging software is used to analyze the image for object recognition and detection, initially based on their color.
WANDA has been designed to swim continually and search for a predefined color, and once detected, directional instructions are given to the operator to enable it to be moved toward the object of interest.
The researchers are currently generating a closed-loop computer control system that will allow the fish to autonomously respond to the video signal.
“We are also looking at ways to make the fish more sophisticated in the future so it can dive to different depths or change direction rapidly and including other sensors on the body,” said Dr. Scott McGovern.
One example where the robotic fish could be used is to detect water quality and pollution levels in water catchments and dams. While existing systems detect pollution from stationary points along the catchment, WANDA can swim around and give a true idea of the whole area and can even swim toward and detect the exact point where pollution may be coming from.
It could also be used to detect structural damage in underwater pipes where divers cannot reach, or to map out underwater areas.
WANDA has been developed through a three-way collaboration between researchers at the Intelligent Polymer Research Institute (IPRI) at the University of Wollongong, the National Center for Sensor Research at Dublin City University led by Professor Dermott Diamond, and the Defense Science and Technology Organization Maritime Platforms Division.
