Introduction

In a remarkable achievement, North Carolina State University (NC State) has set new standards not just in competitive swimming, but also in the field of soft robotics with the announcement that their groundbreaking robotic swimmer has broken the world record, navigating the waters at an astonishing speed!

The Innovative Research Team

The innovative research team at NC State, renowned for their excellence in both academics and athletics, has developed the world's fastest swimming soft robots. Soft robotics focuses on crafting machines from flexible materials, enabling them to maneuver fluidly and efficiently by using 'soft' actuation methods, such as pneumatics, instead of traditional rigid mechanisms.

Record-Breaking Achievements

Previously, the Yin Lab at NC State made headlines when they set a record with a soft robot that could swim at a speed of 3.74 body lengths per second two years ago. Fast forward to December 2024, and the lab has unveiled a new design that significantly enhances performance, achieving speeds of up to an incredible 6.8 body lengths per second!

Performance Perspective

To put this impressive feat into perspective, the newest iteration of the robot measures less than 100 mm in length, equating its peak velocity to under 0.1 meters per second. For comparison, Ryan Held—a standout athlete from NC State—holds the 50-yard freestyle record at 18.56 seconds. If our robotic swimmer were scaled to Held's height of 6'1", it could theoretically glide over 250 yards in the same time frame, showcasing the robot's sheer efficacy.

Inspired by Nature

Inspired by the graceful manta ray, the robotic swimmer is composed of a soft pneumatic actuator (the 'body') and two rigid fins. The ingenious mechanism causes the fins to bend and mimic the motion of a manta ray’s downstroke as the body inflates, while the fins utilize a monostable design that automatically returns to their original position once the body is deflated. This innovation marks a significant advancement over the previous bistable design that required energy to be input for both the down and up strokes.

Mechanism Explained

Haitao Qing, the first author of the study and a doctoral student at NC State, explained the mechanism: 'Pumping air into the chamber introduces energy into the system. The fins want to return to their stable state, so releasing the air also releases the energy in the fins. This allows for a single actuator to power the robot, enhancing its speed and responsiveness.'

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead, the research team aims to enhance the robot’s lateral movement capabilities and investigate new methods of actuation that allow for more autonomous operations without needing external tethering.

Potential Applications

This research not only promises advancements in robotics but has potential applications in environmental monitoring, underwater exploration, and even bio-inspired engineering. The future looks bright for soft robotics, and NC State is leading the charge!

Conclusion

Stay tuned for more groundbreaking developments in soft robotics from NC State, and be sure to check out the stunning video of this robotic marvel in action!