Sponsor: Office of Naval Research (through University of Maryland)
In collaboration with Profs. Derek Paley (project lead) from Univ. of Maryland and Matt McHenry from University of California, Irvine, this three-year project aims to develop an underwater robotic perception and control system based on the lateral line and vestibular systems in fish. Emerging tools such as functional imaging will be used to help resolve the role of multi-modal sensing in fish behavior, which will offer insight into the robotic system design. Tools from comparative physiology, material science, and dynamical control systems will be applied to solve the problem of closed-loop sensing and robotic control with artificial lateral line and vestibular organs. The role of Tan’s group will focus on the design and fabrication of mechanosensitive hair devices based on electroactive polymer materials.