Tech Xplore Robotics

Robotic Wing Inspired by Nature Delivers Leap in Underwater Stability

Researchers at the University of Southampton have created a soft‑robotic wing with a liquid‑metal e‑skin that senses water flow and reshapes itself automatically. In lab tests the wing cut unwanted uplift impulse by 87% versus rigid AUV wings, responded up to four times faster than comparable soft wings, and used five times less energy than thermal‑actuated alternatives. The design exploits proprioception—mirroring birds’ feathers and fish’s lateral‑line—to achieve hybrid passive‑active disturbance rejection. While the results promise more agile, energy‑efficient autonomous underwater vehicles, scaling and integration with existing hulls remain open challenges.