Researchers at the University of London, led by Xiao Jin, Zhenhua Yu, and Thrishantha Nanayakkara, have developed an innovative bio-inspired sensor for underwater flow detection. The sensor, inspired by the whiskers of marine mammals, promises to enhance the capabilities of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and other marine robots.
The sensor is designed using a tapered nylon spring with embedded accelerometers, enabling spatially distributed vibration sensing and frequency separation along its length. This design allows the sensor to detect and analyze hydrodynamic disturbances with high precision. The researchers conducted towing-tank experiments and computational fluid dynamics simulations to validate the sensor’s performance. These tests confirmed that the sensor effectively distinguishes different vortex regimes across various fin angles and maintains Strouhal scaling with flow velocity. Higher flow speeds increase vibration intensity but do not affect the dominant frequencies, ensuring consistent and reliable data.
The sensor’s ability to identify vortex shedding frequencies with less than 10% error is a significant achievement. This accuracy is crucial for understanding underwater flow dynamics and improving the navigation of autonomous marine robots. Additionally, the use of Shannon entropy in the analysis captures the transition from coherent vortex streets to turbulence, providing a comprehensive understanding of the flow conditions. The researchers also employed machine learning techniques, achieving 86.0% classification accuracy with millisecond-level inference, which highlights the sensor’s potential for real-time applications.
The practical implications of this research are substantial. The bio-inspired whisker sensor offers a scalable and real-time solution for underwater perception, wake tracking, and turbulence-aware navigation. These capabilities are essential for the development of advanced autonomous marine robots that can operate efficiently in complex and dynamic underwater environments. By providing accurate and timely data on flow conditions, the sensor can enhance the safety and effectiveness of marine operations, including underwater exploration, environmental monitoring, and offshore industries.
The research demonstrates the potential of bio-inspired designs in advancing marine technology. By mimicking the natural sensing mechanisms of marine mammals, the researchers have developed a sensor that outperforms traditional underwater flow detection methods. This innovation underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, combining principles from biology, engineering, and computer science to address real-world challenges in the marine sector. As the technology continues to evolve, it is expected to play a pivotal role in the development of next-generation autonomous marine systems. Read the original research paper here.