Shanghai Ocean University unveils manta ray-inspired bionic fish

Shanghai Ocean University recently revealed Wen Yao, an intelligent soft-bodied bionic fish modeled after a manta ray, concluding over a decade of research and development. This robotic fish features a wingspan of 1 meter and weighs 35 kilograms, incorporating domestically produced components that ensure high efficiency and low energy consumption.

Chen Xinjun, head of the university's School of Marine Living Resources and Management, described the comprehensive bionic approach: "Based on the behavior of the real fish, we made bionic efforts in various aspects such as its form, movement, structure, and materials, and achieved Wen Yao's biological outer contour fitting and dynamic motion simulation."

The bionic fish stands out for its high efficiency, energy saving, low noise, and stealth capabilities, making it suitable for applications in ocean fishing, deep sea exploration, and other sectors. These features are aimed at enhancing the marine economy and bolstering national sovereignty.

"Equipped with high-precision sensors, imaging sonar scanning devices, and other artificial intelligent technologies, it can help underwater monitoring and analysis in a more flexible way with lower costs," added Chen. The bionic fish also offers substantial payload space and is expected to support marine science, environmental protection, and economic development with future integrations of smart chips.

Furthermore, the research team has explored additional bionic fish designs, including dolphins and moray reels. A recent partnership with a Shanghai-based company aims to further develop and market these innovative soft-bodied robots.