Bionic underwater multimodal sensor inspired by fish lateralis neuromasts

Abstract

Fish are capable of perceiving diverse signals from aquatic environments through their lateralis neuromasts. In light of this, we developed an artificial fish lateralis neuromast (AFLN) system with multimodal sensing functionality. The AFLN has a diameter of less than 6 mm and showcases a compact three-dimensional architecture while enabling the detection of water flow, acoustic signals, and electric fields underwater. The integration of the AFLN system into an underwater robot enhances autonomous navigation, obstacle avoidance, and emergency escape, showcasing primary machine intelligence. This compact, lightweight bionic multimodal sensor holds significant potential for advancing the perceptual capabilities of underwater robots.