Whether with dynamic wingbeats or elegant gliding: thanks to its flow-optimised anatomy, the Aqua_ray is easy and energy-efficient to manoeuvre through water. But the artificial fish borrows more than just its shape and design from the real manta ray – its model of movement also comes very close to that of its natural role model.
Rays are fascinating sea creatures. Experts consider them to have perfected underwater flight and gliding. As they swim, they beat their fins in the water like a bird beats its wings in the air. Their wave-shaped movements form an optimum combination of maximum propulsion with minimum energy consumption. The flow-optimised shape allows the manta ray to move particularly elegantly and makes it a real underwater acrobat.
We use the fluidic muscle for the central propulsion and control unit of the Aqua_ray. Two pairs of muscles working in opposite directions, combined with Fin Ray Effect®, form the beating wing drive in the two wings. The structure with Fin Ray Effect® is a design derived from the functional anatomy of a fish fin. It enables the fin drive of its natural role model to be imitated almost perfectly.