Fish-like underwater microrobot with 3 DOF

Abstract

It is our purpose to develop an underwater microrobot that has the characteristics of flexibility, driven by a low voltage, good response and safety in body. We propose a prototype model of an underwater microrobot utilizing an ICPF (ionic conducting polymer film) actuator as the servo actuator to realize swimming motion with 3 DOF. A biomimetic fish-like microrobot using an ICPF actuator as a propulsion tail fin and a buoyancy adjuster for a microrobot swimming structure in water or aqueous medium has been developed. The overall size of the underwater microrobot prototype shaped as a fish is 45mm in length, 10 mm in width and 4 mm in thickness. There is a pair of fins and a buoyancy adjuster. The characteristics of the underwater microrobot is measured by changing the frequency and amplitude of input voltage. The experimental results indicate that the swimming speed of the proposed underwater micro robot can be controlled by changing the frequency of input voltage; the moving direction (upward or downward) can be controlled by changing the amplitude and the frequency of input voltage.