Page 288 - Robots Androids and Animatrons : 12 Incredible Projects You Can Build

13.9 Rubber fish covering for robot fish

The robotic android fish
What separates a robot from an android is all in appearance. A robot
looks like a robot and an android looks human or like the thing it was
made to simulate. So an android fish should look like a fish.
Well, creating an android fish may not be as difficult as it may first
appear. And the reason for this is that reasonable-quality fish cov-
erings are available (see Fig. 13.9). These coverings are sold at
magic and hobby shops. These rubber fish can be cut open and the 267
robotic mechanism inserted inside.
Some models are more realistic than others. I found one model made
out of thick, soft rubber. While the appearance and texture of this
model is excellent, the internal robotic structure to move the tail
must be more powerful. Another fish covering that is less realistic
but much thinner, and therefore easier to move, is a better choice.

Learn more about it

To learn more about fish-based propulsion systems, try reading the
following sources: Scientific American, March 1995, “An Efficient
Swimming Machine,” by Micheal S. Triantafyllou and George S.
Triantafyllou, and Exploring Biomechanics, by R. McNeill
Alexander, published by Scientific American Library, 1992, ISBN
0-7167-5035-X.

Parts list for robotic fish

R1, 33K ohms
R2 and R6, 100 ohms
R3, 470 ohms
Team LRN Underwater bots