Engineering and robotic implementation is of great focus in universities and a most recent example of a breakthrough comes from TU Delft where student Sander van den Berg has developed an incredibly fast robotic fish. The individual, who is currently doing his Industrial Design Engineering masters at the institution has invented a 3D-printed robotic fish that can swim really fast — 0.85 meters per second, to be exact. The claim is that the product is the fastest of its kind.
One can imagine the project was a balancing game of materials. The robotic fish needed to strike the right amount of rigidness, in order to get ahead in water, while a softer type of plastic was needed, as well, to support the mechanism of the fin.
Photo Credits: Dezeen
Speedy 3D-Printed Robotic Fish
Sander van den Berg's Fish Can Swim 0.85 Meters Per Second
Trend Themes
1. 3D Printing in Robotics - The high-speed 3D-printed robotic fish demonstrates the potential for 3D printing in creating faster and more efficient robotic systems.
2. Biomimicry in Robotics - The development of a robotic fish that mimics the movements of real fish showcases the opportunities for biomimicry in creating innovative and agile robotic designs.
3. Materials Innovation in Robotics - The challenge of finding the right balance between rigidity and flexibility in the materials used for the robotic fish presents opportunities for advancements in materials science within the robotics industry.
Industry Implications
1. Robotics - The development of the high-speed robotic fish highlights the potential for disruptive innovation in the robotics industry, particularly in the fields of underwater exploration and surveillance.
2. Additive Manufacturing - The use of 3D printing technology in creating the robotic fish suggests opportunities for disruptive innovation in the additive manufacturing industry, specifically in the production of functional and complex robotic components.
3. Design and Engineering - The creation of the 3D-printed robotic fish demonstrates disruptive innovation opportunities in the design and engineering industry, where advancements in materials selection and structural design can lead to the development of highly efficient and specialized robotic systems.