Mysterious oarfish s fins inspire large underwater robot design

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Published: 2026-09-30T18:45:12.979Z • Permanent link

Roboticist Rob Shepherd's team at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has been working on a groundbreaking underwater robot design that can swim silently and avoid startling sea creatures. The project's inspiration came from the unusual swimming system of oarfish, the meters-long fish whose ribbon-like fins have long fascinated scientists. According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), oarfish can reach speeds of up to 35 miles per hour and are found in the deep waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Shepherd's team has been studying the oarfish's unique fins, which are capable of producing a vortex of water that allows the fish to move with incredible agility.

Shepherd's team has been working on a large underwater robot, dubbed the "Oarbot," which is designed to mimic the oarfish's swimming system. The Oarbot is equipped with four flippers that are powered by electric motors, and its fins are designed to produce a similar vortex of water. According to data from the UCLA team, the Oarbot is capable of reaching speeds of up to 20 miles per hour and can dive to depths of over 1,000 feet. The robot is also equipped with advanced sensors that allow it to detect and track marine life, including endangered species.

The project has been supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.S. Navy, which has expressed interest in the Oarbot's potential applications in marine surveillance and environmental monitoring. The NSF has awarded the UCLA team a grant of $2 million to further develop the Oarbot, and the project is expected to be completed within the next two years. Shepherd's team is also collaborating with other researchers and institutions, including the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute.

The development of the Oarbot has significant implications for the marine research community, particularly in the areas of oceanography and marine conservation. The Oarbot's ability to swim silently and avoid startling sea creatures makes it an ideal tool for studying marine life in its natural habitat. According to data from the Ocean Conservancy, over 90% of the world's oceans have not been explored, and the Oarbot's advanced sensors and propulsion system make it an important tool for mapping and monitoring marine ecosystems.

The Oarbot's potential applications extend beyond research, however. The robot's advanced sensors and propulsion system also make it an ideal tool for environmental monitoring and surveillance. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has expressed interest in the Oarbot's potential applications in monitoring water quality and detecting oil spills. The Oarbot's ability to swim silently and avoid startling sea creatures also makes it an important tool for studying the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems.

The development of the Oarbot is part of a larger trend in marine robotics, which is driven by advances in materials science, electronics, and artificial intelligence. According to data from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the development of underwater robots has been driven by advances in materials science, particularly the development of new materials that are stronger, lighter, and more durable. The NIST has also developed new standards for underwater robots, which are expected to facilitate the development of more advanced and capable robots.