Robotics advancements feature biomimetic underwater drone and mobile robotic hand

New advancements in biomimetic robotics have been introduced, featuring an autonomous underwater vehicle and a mobile robotic hand.

A Chinese company has developed the ‘BG-5 Golden Dragon Fish’, an underwater robot designed for discrete surveillance and reconnaissance in shallow waters. Modeled after the golden arowana, the robot uses a flexible, multi-jointed tail to mimic natural fish movements, allowing it to operate silently without the noise of traditional propellers. The device is approximately 63 centimeters long, weighs 3.2 kilograms, and can dive to depths of 5 meters. An advanced version, the BG-5V, supports complex route planning and coordinated multi-robot operations.

Separately, researchers at ETH Zurich’s Soft Robotics Lab have developed a robotic hand capable of independent movement. Unlike conventional robotic hands designed primarily for manipulation, this device uses its fingers to navigate across various surfaces, including carpet, gravel, and grass. The hand can regain its balance after being overturned and is capable of interacting with its environment, such as pressing keys, while supporting its own weight. This technology is intended for use in narrow or hard-to-reach spaces.