Lobster-based Underwater Robot

Posted 18 May 2001 at 22:31 UTC by steve

API is carrying a story that summarizes the work of Joseph Ayers of the Marine Science Center of Northeastern University. As part of the Biomimetic Underwater Robot Program there, Ayers is working on a Navy-funded project to develop yet another mine-detecting robot for shallow beach areas. The Lobster-based robot uses a neural network that simulates the nervous system of a lobster to control its motion.

Nitinol?, posted 18 May 2001 at 23:30 UTC by The Swirling Brain » (Master)

It's interesting that they're using Nitinol for their muscles!

Yeah, really, Nitinol?, posted 19 May 2001 at 07:56 UTC by robodave » (Journeyer)

It really looks like a fascinating robot, but I can't imagine they're getting any speed from it... But maybe it doesn't need a lot of speed. Wonder why they didn't just use Ariel from iRobot? Camoflage lobsters doing underwater surveillance? You know, if you consider the conductive cooling effect in an underwater environment, it just might speed the actuation of nitinol some, just wonder if it's enough to be useful. Where are the dang mpegs when you need them?