The Robo-Penguin
Penguins may be ungainly on land, but they're speedy swimmers
and expert divers. That agility inspired scientists at Festo's
Bionic Learning Network to develop the AquaPenguin, an Adélie-size
self-navigating bot that "flies" underwater just
like the real birds. Highly flexible, it can maneuver in cramped
spaces and turn on a dime. Unlike its live counterparts, the
bionic bird can also swim backward. Each AquaPenguin behaves
differently, but an intelligent 3-D sonar system similar to
that used by dolphins and bats enables the bots to travel
in groups without colliding. Festo envisions adapting AquaPenguin
for automated production systems. It has already built a gripping
device sensitive enough to manipulate fragile objects.
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