Peking University, June 10, 2015: From October 30, 2014, Chinese scientists conducted their 31st Antarctic expedition and successfully performed various scientific research tasks in 163 days. The reconfigurable double-tail-fin robotic fish, developed by Intelligent Control Laboratory (ICL), College of Engineering (COE), Peking University, started its maiden voyage in the Antarctic successfully. The robotic fish can get the water quality data in real-time while swimming smoothly. This is another “exciting adventure” for the robotic fish, after its successful maiden voyage in the Arctic.

The reconfigurable robotic fish can withstand the low temperature of 40 degrees Celsius below zero and swim smoothly in Antarctic waters. The water quality sensors on-board can collect the water quality data in real-time. With its outstanding ability of low-energy and high-efficiency, the robotic fish provides a new potential tool for human polar marine exploration. This is the second time that robotic fish conducted field test in the Polar Regions. The Antarctic sea trials of robotic fish not only provide the research material for the Antarctic water quality survey, they will also provide an important reference for future improvement of robot research.

The ICL began the robotics research since 2003. With the unremitting efforts by the whole research team in COE, the ICL has published many high-level papers, received a number of invention patents, and won the funds of tens of millions RMB. Some robot products have been submitted in the market. The ICL has formed an international-influence robot research team. The developed robots and related achievements have obtained sufficient praise by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Vice Premier Liu Yandong, State Science and Technology Minister Wan Gang and other State leaders. The robotics in College of Engineering will achieve greater progress in all aspects of production and research in the future.

Edited by: Zhang Jiang

Source: College of Engineering