MIT CSAIL: Swimming with the Robot Fishes

How can technology improve our understanding and access to nature? MIT Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL) have been developing a new kind of robot destined to live underwater. 

MIT CSAIL, SoFi swimming with real fish (2018/2018) by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)Barbican Centre

SoFi - The Soft Robotic Fish is a project run by MIT Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL). Using an acoustically controlled soft robotic fish, the team are able to explore underwater life in new and exciting ways.

MIT CSAIL, SoFi swimming with real fish (2018/2018) by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)Barbican Centre

How do you control a robotic fish underwater?

Using a miniaturized acoustic communication module, a diver can direct the fish by sending commands such as speed, turning angle, and dynamic vertical diving. Experimental results gathered from tests along coral reefs in the Pacific Ocean show that the robotic fish can successfully navigate around aquatic life at depths ranging from 0 to 18 meters.  Using its undulating tail and a unique ability to control its own buoyancy, SoFi can swim in a straight line, turn, or dive up or down. The team also used a waterproofed Super Nintendo controller and developed a custom acoustic communications system that enabled them to change SoFi’s speed and have it make specific moves and turns.

MIT CSAIL, diver swimming alongside SoFi (2018/2018) by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)Barbican Centre

MIT CSAIL, SoFi swimming with real fish (2018/2018) by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)Barbican Centre

The robotic fish exhibits a lifelike undulating tail motion enabled by a soft robotic actuator design that can potentially facilitate a more natural integration into the ocean environment.

MIT CSAIL, SoFi swimming with real fish (2018/2018) by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)Barbican Centre

How does it work? 

Existing autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) have traditionally been tethered to boats or powered by bulky and expensive propellers.In contrast, SoFi has a much simpler and more lightweight setup, with a single camera, a motor, and the same lithium polymer battery that’s found in consumer smartphones. To make the robot swim, the motor pumps water into two balloon-like chambers in the fish’s tail that operate like a set of pistons in an engine. As one chamber expands, it bends and flexes to one side; when the actuators push water to the other channel, that one bends and flexes in the other direction.

MIT CSAIL, SoFi swimming with real fish (2018/2018) by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)Barbican Centre

MIT CSAIL, SoFi swimming with real fish (2018/2018) by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)Barbican Centre

The project is part of a larger body of work at CSAIL focused on soft robots, which have the potential to be safer, sturdier, and more nimble than their hard-bodied counterparts.

Soft robots are in many ways easier to control than rigid robots, since researchers don’t have to worry quite as much about having to avoid collisions.

MIT CSAIL, SoFi swimming with real fish (2018/2018) by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)Barbican Centre

Credits: Story

AI: More Than Human is a major exhibition exploring creative and scientific developments in AI, demonstrating its potential to revolutionise our lives. The exhibition takes place at the Barbican Centre, London from 16 May—26 Aug 2019.

Part of Life Rewired, our 2019 season exploring what it means to be human when technology is changing everything.

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