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Robotic jellyfish with silicon rubber tentacles could be used to monitor endangered coral reefs in the world's oceans.
According to scientists, a robotic robot that can swim through openings narrower than its body could be used to monitor delicate environments in the ocean.
The "jellyfish" are based on the shape of the jellyfish of the moon and are able to pass through holes cut in plexiglass plates.
Scientists at Jellyfish Robots hope that they could be sent to monitor fragile coral reefs without risking collisions and damage and could play the role of "guardians of the oceans".
The robots are driven by hydraulic tentacles thanks to a system driven by two turbine pumps. Turbine pumps use centrifugal force to accelerate the fluid to the outside.
Water from the surrounding medium is used to inflate the jellybot's silicone rubber tentacles to produce a stroke. When the pumps are not powered, the natural flexibility of the tentacles repels the water.
Dr. Erik Engeberg, of Florida Atlantic University, said, "The study and monitoring of fragile environments, such as coral reefs, have always been difficult for marine scientists.
"Software robots have great potential to help with that."
"Software robots based on fish and other marine animals have gained popularity in the research community in recent years. Jellyfish are excellent candidates because they are very effective swimmers.
Five jellybots with different levels of hardness were produced for testing using 3D printing techniques.
"We found that the robots could go through openings narrower than the nominal diameter of the robot," said Dr. Engeberg.
Future robots will have navigation programming and environmental sensors to help them find gaps and decide if they can cross them and monitor water conditions.
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