AUV with unique mobility features trialled

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A bionic autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) with unique mobility features made its first dives this month.

Poggy

EvoLogics’ ‘Poggy’ has two propulsion thrusters and two independent flexible “tails". Image: EvoLogics

EvoLogics’ ‘Poggy’ has two propulsion thrusters and two independent flexible “tails”. Developed as part of the BONUS SEAMOUNT collaborative R&D project, Poggy’s dual-tail construction is an original idea that stemmed from previous work on EvoLogics’ Manta Ray AUV and its lifelike “flapping wing” propulsion system. The design was simplified and optimised - the robot lost the wings, and its tail was divided in two.

Together with the rigid part of the body, the progressively bendable tails perform as two adjustable hydroplanes that in every steering position have an overall streamlined shape. The new concept facilitates outstanding roll and depth control combined with low drag performance.

Fin-Ray drives

Both parts of the dual-tail use independent bionic Fin-Ray drives and allow for precise heave, pitch and roll adjustments, enabling dynamic climbs and dives, levelled gliding and bottom following.

In addition, the dual-tails facilitate unique manoeuvres that could open new opportunities for sensing and monitoring: the vehicle was designed to keep any desired roll angle and maintain a steady glide, even at very low speeds.

Poggy’s first sea trials were carried out at the ‘Breaking The Surface’ workshop in Biograd na Moru, Croatia,

The SEAMOUNT project is funded within the framework of ‘BONUS - Science for a better future of the Baltic Sea region’, the joint Baltic Sea research and development programme.

By Rebecca Jeffrey