China builds smarter naval drone swarms with manta ray-inspired propulsion
The study’s focus on a trio of manta rays forms a foundational model that can be expanded to understand larger groups.
From the mesmerizing formations of birds in flight to the synchronized movements of fish schools, nature often relies on collective motion to maximize efficiency and energy conservation. Manta rays are among the most proficient swimmers; their unique body shapes and wide flippers enable them to glide through the water with effortless grace.
Manta rays are also notable for having high aspect ratios, which allows for greater lift with minimal drag, making them an incredible model for propulsion systems designed to work underwater.
“As underwater operation tasks become more complex and often require multiple underwater vehicles to carry out group operations, it is necessary to take inspiration from the group swimming of organisms to guide formations of underwater vehicles,” said author Pengcheng Gao.
“Both the shape of manta rays and their propulsive performance are of great value for biomimicry.”
Uncovering hydrodynamic secrets
Scientists from Northwestern Polytechnical University and its Ningbo Institute in China have turned to manta rays for inspiration in improving the performance of underwater vehicles, exploring how different group formations of manta rays impact swimming efficiency—knowledge they believe could inform the next generation of coordinated aquatic robotics.