The International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems took place in Hamburg, Germany. A Greek distinction made its way to the top four projects for the Best Conference Paper Award from a total of 970.

The shortlist:

The Robotics Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, USΑ
The Center for Design Research – Stanford University – Stanford, USA
Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (ΜΙΤ), USA
Control Systems and Robotics Laboratory, Technological Educational Institute of Crete, Heraklion, Greece.

Greece’s entry was a fin-propelled underwater robot prototype. Inspired by underwater movement, the research focused on the realistic recreation of this using electronic sensor rays.

The developed prototype features a pair of laterally-mounted undulatory fin propulsors, each comprised by three individually actuated (via waterproof R/C servos) fin rays, interconnected by an elastic membrane.

Here’s how it is done: