Design and Modeling of a Biomimetic Stingray-Like Robotic Fish

Abstract

Freshwater stingrays employ enlarged undulating pectoral fins as their routine propulsion means. Their remarkable flexibility and maneuverability have provided many new inspirations for engineers. In this paper, a biomimetic stingray-like underwater robot was introduced. In order to investigate the mechanism of the undulatory propulsion, kinematic analysis and hydromechanics analysis were conducted. Lastly, underwater experiments were carried out to study the swimming performance of the robotic fish.