Researchers at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT) have developed a mathematical model for underwater drones that mimic the buoyancy control mechanism of bony fish. The study, published in Scientific Reports, details how these biomimetic robots can achieve stability using a gas-filled bladder system.
Current underwater drones rely on ballast systems that pump water, which consumes energy and generates noise. The new model suggests that passive stabilization can significantly extend the autonomous operation time of underwater vehicles during long-term environmental monitoring missions.
According to the researchers, stability is achieved through dynamic coupling between pitch and vertical displacement when the drone is in motion. The model requires the bladder and the center of lift to be positioned behind the center of mass. Stability occurs above a certain speed threshold, though excessive speed can lead to instability.
The team plans to test these calculations on existing prototypes. Potential applications include environmental monitoring, marine life observation, and pipeline inspection. The source code and model data have been released on GitHub for public access.
