Eel swimming
3D underwater eel robot

The aim of this project, supported by the ROBEA CNRS program, is to design, study and produce an "eel" robot capable of swimming in three dimensions. To achieve this, we are using macroscopic continuous models to study the problems of simulation, locomotion and control. The study is based on a biomechanical analysis of swimming, and will culminate in the creation of a software platform and a prototype. To achieve these objectives, a multi-disciplinary group of teams and laboratories has been formed:

• Muséum national d'histoire naturelle (MNHN), ichthyology laboratory;

• Nantes Fluid Mechanics Laboratory (LMF), Numerical Modeling Division (DMN) and Naval Hydrodynamics Division (DHN);

• IRCCyN, robotics, mechanical design...