Fundamental Control for a Manta-Like Fish Robot

Abstract

This chapter analyzes a propulsive force generated from pectoral fins for a manta-like fish robot, which is one of rajiform-type fish robot in a classification of swimming mechanism of fishes, from fluid dynamics aspects. The fishes of this type swim underwater with two pectoral fins. A diving method is proposed, assuming that some front fin rays are fixed with a constant angle. The usefulness of the method is demonstrated by numerical simulations and an experiment with an actual robot system.