This brings us to Myrtle, a 500 pound sea turtle at the New England Aquarium who was studied for her maneuverability. Marine animals use their bodies comfortably near obstacles and dynamic flowing water, using this flow to escape predators near reefs. Dolphins use these dynamics to surf on the bow waves of huge ships.
Myrtle's flippers were filmed from various angles and the results applied to this autonomous underwater vehicle called Finnegan. Finnegan has four flippers, known to engineers as flapping foils that roll and twist through the water. It's designed to change direction quickly, make sharp turns and back flips to avoid underwater obstacles. Most AUV's have a single screw propulsion which is great for back and forth surveys in long rows but Finnegan's foils are ideal for using the robot in chaotic conditions such as the waters near reefs. Seals swimming at 2.4 metres per second need only one-tenth of their body length to turn completely around and while Finnegan can't turn anywhere near as fast it's much more able than conventional AUVs.
6 comments:
Thank you. I love turtles.
You're right, war machines, (bomb carriers), anything capable of mass destruction, especially of the stealthy kind,gets more funding than anything else. Pity really. Such machines as Myrtle would be such an advantage in charting the underwaters of the world.
"Why do I feel that if it could carry a bomb, the project would be swamped with money?"
Because you're a cynical old Witchy, that's why.
She could carry tourists instead and that might generate funding. And a device to stop her from ever leaving any behind on a reef either.
Still waiting for the day schools are fully funded and the defence forces have to hold cake stalls for fund raising.
Baron, I knew you would be a turtle lover. I barely understood the physics of turtle movement but I stand in awe of Mother Nature.
River, so much in the deep ocean is undiscovered and we still piss around wanting to go to the moon again.
Fleetwood, I'm cynical alright and it's cheaper for the bastards to strap a bomb on a dolphin.
Ladlitter, If I was diving on any reef I wouldn't be more than two feet from the boat. I'm cynical about the last two who were left behind.
Caroline, a poetess instead of a blogger. I think that's a step up.
Jayne, With the carry-on about the SAS pay, they might have to have a cake stall.
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