Cornell researchers study oarfish fins to design silent underwater robots
Cornell scientists collaborated to analyze the unique swimming mechanics of oarfish for a new large underwater robot design.
Collaboration begins with retired expert
Roboticist Rob Shepherd contacted Willy Bemis, a retired Cornell ichthyologist, to discuss the unusual swimming system of oarfish. The two researchers decided to study the fish's unique dorsal fin rays together. This partnership started after Bemis expressed interest in the species and Shepherd shared his own curiosity.
Anatomy reveals independent ray rotation
A new study published Sept 30 describes the anatomy allowing each fin ray to rotate independently. These bone-like skeletal structures extend from the back of the meter-long fish. Coordinated motion creates waves along the membrane that connects them to propel the body.
Goal is silent sea travel
The team aims to build a robot that swims silently to avoid startling sea creatures. Shepherd noted that the oarfish's ribbon-like dorsal fin moves in waves to achieve this quiet movement. The research appears in the journal Ichthyology and Herpetology.
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